Portland Gets 3000 Tons Coal; Butter To Be Shipped

Northern Advocate, 17 August 1949, Page 5

Portland Gets 3000 Tons Coal; Butter To Be Shipped

TWO important developments have taken place on the Whangarei waterfront during the past two days, and there is a likelihood of further activity within the next week. A collier at Portland is to discharge her complete cargo of 3000 tons instead of the part cargo of 1300 tons intended for Portland. , _ . .... At Whangarei, the arrival of the coastal vessel Rangmui this morning means that the Whangarei and Maungatapere dairy companies will be able to ship butter which has accumulated in their cool stores during the past week.

With 3000 tons of Westport coal, the Union Company's collier Kiwitea berthed at Portland on Friday night. Thirteen hundred tons of coal—the contents of two holds—being consigned to Portland for the manufacture of cement. This amount was to have been unloaded by this afternoon, when the ship would have been able to clear the port. Yesterday, however, word was received that the vessel was to discharge her total cargo at Portland and she will now remain at Portland until this Is completed. ' Consequently, cement production at the works w»il improve. Owing to the coal shortage the works have been working at only half capacity, with two kilns operating. The works manager (Mr E. Loose> said this morning that it would now be possible to put on a third kiln This would prpbably be done today. TIMELY ARRIVAL For Whangarei merchants who depend on coastal shipping for a considerable amount of their goods, the arrival of the 158-ton Ranginui this morning was timely. She carried a full cargo of about 150 tons of general cargo, including potatoes, sugar and other goods which have been in short supply as a result of the shipping dispute. As the Whangarei Waterside Workers’ Union members were required at Portland for the Kiwitea, - non-union labour was called at the Town Wharf this morning. Sufficient non-unionists for two full gangs were available and the work of discharging the ship proceeded without delay. Loaded in Auckland by members of the Northern Steamship Company’s permanent staff, the ship’s holds were literally crammed with goods. When her holds have been emptied, the work of loading more than 3000 boxes of butter from the Whangarei and Maungatapere dairy factories will commence. STORAGE POSITION Both companies, during the past week, have been filling their cool stores with butter, and, as far as Whangarei was concerned, the storage question was becoming difficult. The Ranginui’s arrival means that the position will be improved again. Inquiries made this morning indicated that the Ranginui will probably be able to continue the Whangarei-Auck-land service on a restricted basis, by the use of permanent hands for loading at Auckland. Some congestion had occurred in the sheds at Auckland as a direct result of the hold-up, but the accumulation of goods has now been relieved.

southern potatoes are in ships in port and two large cargoes of Island fruit are bound for Auckland. "Irrespective of the rights or wrongs of the dispute, it would be a gracious act if special arrangements were made between the two parties for perishable food cargoes to be landed,” said Mr McCallum yesterday “There is no reason why this food should be destroyed.” IN FAIR CONDITION South Island potatoes which have been Ln the hold of the Waipori for about six weeks have deteriorated, but are reported to be still in fair and reasonable condition. Ventilators are trimmed daily and two windsails circulate fresh air There has been a certain degree of heating. A large consignment of potatoes which has been in the Waiana for about three weeks is reported to be in good order and condition. Potatoes are still being loaded in the South Island for Auckland. Consumers here require 10,000 to 15,000 sacks a week from the south. The local market is bare. Five thousand sacks came from Raglan this we6 k—l4oo sacks for Auckland, the remainder for the Waikato. TALK TERMS An offer to talk with the employers on outstanding waterfront issues was contained in a letter sent by the New Zealand Waterside Workers Union yesterday to the Waterside Employers’ Association. Replying to u letter from the secretary of the association (Captain M. T. Holm) the secretary of the union (Mr T. Hill), wrote that the employers letter had been discussed by the national executive, which, he said, fell that the employers’' letter failed to deal with any aspect of the present position and that no useful purpose could be served by debating “situations that no longer exist.” The suspension of the main order pf the commission, the letter said, left the union with no order, award or agreement determining working conditions. “On August 2, and again on August 10, we made a request to meet your association with a view to reaching some agreement, the letter conclude? “My national executive repeats the offer and is prepared to meet your association any time this week. Captain Holm said last night that he had received Mr Hill’s letter and had replied stating that the association had nothing further to add to its letter of August 12, which set out the conditions on which the association would be prepared to meet representatives of the union. “CONSTANT ATTENTION” “The Auckland waterfront dispute is under the constant attention of the Government and the Minister ol Labour (Mr McLagan) as to what steps are to be taken to ensure the continuation of supplies for the people ol Auckland,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) last night. More questions about the dispute were asked when the House of Representatives resumed yesterday afternoon.

SOUTH ISLAND SHIPPING? The shipment of goods from the South Island for northern consignees has been seriously affected by the present dispute and avenues by which goods can be sent north are being explored. One Whangarei firm has been making inquiries into the possibility of getting a direct shipment of potatoes and other produce and merchandise by a Union Company vessel direct to Whangarei. Preliminary arrangements for this shipment have been made, but it is not known whether the plan actually will be implemented. PHOSPHATE SHIP The motor ship Vestria, of 555 tons, is due at Whangarei at noon on Saturday from Teignmouth, South of England, after a three months’ voyage. The newest and largest vessel of the Northern Steamship Company’s fleet, the Vestria was launched in 1946, and will enter - the Onehunga-Lyttelton service. She has a full cargo of bagged, phosphates from Tunis for Whangarei. Advice to this effect has been received by the company’s Whangarei agent (Mr J. Armitage). Captain James Appleton, who brought the Goldfinder to Whangarei last year, commands the Vestria. The services of the Whangarei Harbour Board’s pilot (Captain E. S. Ross) will not be required for the Vestria, as Captain. Appleton is thoroughly conversant with the Whangarei Harbour, and his ship is not particularly large. BUSY PORT Actual details of her measurements are not yet known but it is believed she can carry about 800 tons of cargo. For her fertiliser cargo, about 40 men will be needed. The unionists will supply the bulk of the labour but non-unionists will also be required. Port Whangarei is likely to be busy on Saturday afternoon. The Vestria will be berthed there and the collier Kiwitea will be brought around from Portland for water. PRODUCE CARGOES A call to shipping companies and waterside workers to reach an agreement for the discharge of perishable food cargoes was made yesterday by the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board (Mr W. F. McCallum). Between 15,000 and 20,000 sacks of

Messrs R. M. Algie (O—Remuera) and D. M. Rae (O—Parnell) jointly gave notive to ask the Minister of Labour whether any positive action was being taken by the Government. The Speaker (Mr McKeen) immediately ruled .The question out of order on the ground that it was similar to one struck out on Friday. Government cries of “Off again!” greeted Mr A. S. Sutherland (O—Hauraki) when he rose to ask Mr McLagan whether the Minister would consider immediately bringing the Waterside Workers’ Union under the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court.

Mr Sutherland said this would allow the union to file proposals immediately and the employers to be heard in conciliation within a limited period.

Concern at the increase in the number of accidents to departmental vehicles, which has risen out of proportion to the increase in the number of vehicles, is mentioned in the annual report of the Controller and AuditorGeneral (Mr J. P. Rutherford). In 1947-48 there were 500 accidents, costing £6300, to 1405 vehicles. A committee has been set up to investigate.