CARGO PILLAGING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 15 June 1920, Page 5

CARGO PILLAGING

WIDESPREAD OPERATIONS. Inquiries wove made in Auckland last week as to the pillaging of cargo. The information, solicited showed that pillaging is the bote uoir of importers there; in fact, the position,of business men is becoming untenable, owing to the heavy losses they have to bear as a result of systematic pillaging. Mr. Robert 13urns, chairman oT the Auckland Importers’ Protection Committee, said there was no doubt whatever that pillaging was becoming in. loanable. “You cannot blame the 'men on the Auckland Wharf for all of it,” he continued, “for our evidence proves that some of it takes place beiore the goods are shipped, and some oil the way out. Especially Ts this the • case on goods imported from America.” A great amount of pillage took place during the period after the goods left • the works, and before they reached the steamer, .said Mr Burns. They also had undoubted evidence of pillaging on the wharves in New Zealand. Sometime ago the committee urged upon the Auckland- Harbour Board the necessity for greater supervision being exercised while goods were on the wharves, i

Several .suggestions were made as to how pillaging might be minimised. His own opinion, was that considerable assistance could be given in the conviction of pillagers by the harbour, board officials. One of* the hardest things to understand was that those who did all the pillaging invariably knew which case to pillage. . “We have lost .approximately £7OO worth of goods during the last six months,” said Mr Burns. “This includes a case valued at between £l3O and £l4O. I suggest that other supervision over the wharf be instituted. There is a growing tendency on. the part of the waterside workers to take handbags when they go down into the ship’s hold. These bags should be left in the shed. I have seen them filling these bags with oranges, and it is reasonable to suppose that if -they take oranges they will also tjke other things. There is ample reason for believing, that a great deal of the small pillaging that goes on is done in this way. There can be no doubt whatever that if the officials of the Waterside Workers’ Union co-operated with the importers and shippers they would bo a great assistance in putting down 7iillaging.'’