SHIPPING DELAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18364, 3 April 1923, Page 6

SHIPPING DELAYS.

IMPORTERS DISSATISFIED. The delay in the arrival of cargoes, owing to overseas liners calling at intermediate, other than wain ports, to lift frozen products, was the subject of a discussion by the, Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Mr. C... Bowden quoted the case of tho Hurunui, which arrived at Auckland two weeks ago. After discharging her cargo, she would in ordinary circumstances have come on direct to .Wellington. She had, however, - proceeded to Opua and Tokomaru Bay and would not arrive for some days,• and would not be available for' discharge until Tuesday.. It seemed extraordinary that the southern portion of the island should 'be penalised. There was a further objection in the risk the cargo was subjected to in being carried about in open roadsteads. Mr. S. A. Longuet said the reverse might be the case—vessels might unload at South Island ports, with possible delay to Auckland importers. In justice to the shipping companies, it should be stated that a vessel intended for loading operations at the two ports named could not reach thero, and hid the consignments not been lifted, by the Hurunui, contracts, involving heavy 6ums would have been broken. Exporters were entitled to consideration as well as importers. . ' , Mr. F. Meadowcroft complained that the Westmeath, with shipments of 'Easter goods, had reached Auckland on March 12, but would hot arrive at Wellington until v after Easter; consequently all the Easter trade would be lost, so far as her cargo was concerned. It was decided that the Customs and Importers' Sub-committee, with the addition of two members of the . Exporters' Sub-committee, should interview tho shipping companies.