ARMY WORKS WHARVES

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1942, Page 5

ARMY WORKS WHARVES

AT MAIN AUSTRALIAN PORTS Very Quick Cargo Handling (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 11.40). SYDNEY. May 21. The Army is playing an important part in relieving congestion at the Australian ports by unloading the war cargoes and by transporting them to the places where they are urgently needed. The- Allied, Command General Headquarters has now revealed the formation of Army Dock Operating Companies. The main purpose ol these companies is to economise the shipping time and to reduce the delay at ports, as well! as to disperse valuable property from the target areas. All port installations would become target areas in the event ol Japanese attacks.

An Australian Docks Operating Detachment was formed for service in Singapore. This unit have done excellent work since their retuFn, and they inspired the establishment of other similar units.

The United States Army Authorities are stated to be gratified at the greatly increased despatch with which war goods are being handled, The Army has formed Port-Con-trol Detachments throughout the Commonwealth. They include stevedores and shore labour. They aim to have available sufficient labour at the principal ports to handle effectively any shipping emergency which may arise.

. Central Cargo Control Committees are being established under the direction of the Minister of Customs, and are concerned in the dispersal of al? the cargoes. It is intended to reduce the storage time of private cargoes from six days to three days.