Congestion of Cargoes On Wellington Wharves

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 102, 1 May 1941, Page 9

Congestion of Cargoes On Wellington Wharves

EFFORT TO SOLVE SERIOUS PROBLEM Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 29. A conference of representatives of shipping and commercial interests and Government Departments called by the Wellington Harbour Board to discuss wrays and means of relieving the present serious congestion of cargo in the board’s wharf sheds in order that essential and adequate space might be made available for the more rapid reception and delivery of cargo was held to-day. The main aspects of the problem were discussed and an advi'sory committee set up to investigate it in more detail. The chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert), who presided, said lie would like to make it clear that the board's sheds were for the temporary shortage of goods in transit only and were not intended to be used for the storage of goods bcj f ond the reasonable period necessary' for importers to comply with the usual formalities in regard to the requirements of the Customs Department and the obtaining and lodgment of shipping papers. “At present," said Mr. Fitzherbert,' “goods are remaining in the board’s sheds for long periods, with the Tesult that the accumulating of goods has reached a position which, if not immediately relieved, will mean that insufficient accommodation will be available for the handling of inward cargoes, with the consequent serious interference with the effort being made to give the utmost possible quick turn-round to overseas vessels so vitally necessary at present. ’ ’

Sir Alexander Roberts (New Zealand representative of the Overseas Ministry of Shipping), emphasised the vital necessity of saving all the time possible while vessels were on the New Zealand coast by working extended hours and by centralising ports of call as far as possible. Whatever measures were necessary to keep open the storage accommodation in the board’B sheds must be carried out as a matter of Empire necessity.

Captain M. P. Coiigdon (traffic manager and chief wharfinger) outlined in detail the difficulties being faced under the present conditions and stressed the necessity for the delivery of cargo from vessels taking place as soon as possible after each ship commenced work. He hoped the conference would serve to speed up the •delivery of cargo so that the Harbour Board sheds would become really 'transit sheds only. It was pointed out in the discussion that the difficulties had been accentuated by the -centralisation of shipping. That had meant that more space had been required. iii the wharf sheds for the assembly of cargo from and to other ports in addition to the normal amount consigned to Wellington. It was decided to set up‘an advisory committee to go more closely into the questions raised and to endeavour to arrive at a solution of the difficulties. The committee comprises: Messrs. A. L. Wall (Wellington Chamber of Commerce), R. J. Gray (Collector of Customs), W. I. J. Biyth (Wellington Carriers' Association), J. Bawers (Assistant General Manager of the Railways Department), Barton Ginger (Wellington Customs Agents) and Captain Congdon. Mr. Wall was elected chairman.