CARGO PILFERING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22378, 26 March 1936, Page 16

CARGO PILFERING

DOMINION POETS SHIP'S OFFICER'S VIEWS STRONG EXCEPTION TAKEN Strong exception was taken by representatives of shipping companies in Auckland yestferday to an allegation, made in a Press Association cablegram from Sydney, that uncontrolled cargo pilfering was'rampant in New Zealand. The message was its follows: " ' Cargo pilfering is rampant at practically every New Zealand port,' said Mr. S. Muir, chief officer of the freighter Capo York. He added that the New Zealand authorities appeared to have no control over the evil. The claims arising out of the Capo York s recent visit to tho Dominion totalled a large sum." "As far as the Cape York is concerned, the pilfering in Auckland did not amount to 10s worth," said a representative of the Union Steam Shi]) Company, to which tho ship was chartered. The officer was not competent to make such a statement, as most of the scientific pillaging, which was known in almost every port in the world to some degree, was not generally discovered until the ship concerned had left port. A Grave Reflection

"It is a grave reflection upon tho harbour authorities, the ship-owners and the waterside workers," ho continued. "Throughout tho world there is always a small amount of pilfering, but there is no saving that in this case it was done hero in New Zealand. No one can say with confidence where pillaging occurs." Rarely, if ever, was it possible to discover whether pilfering was done before the goods were loaded, on board the ship, or at the port of discharge, he said. In spite of that, vigilance was maintained and certain precautions were taken. Pilfering fluctuated, and usually it was at a minimum immediately after there had been an arrest. Later, it might increase slightly, only to cease abruptly when another conviction was entered. It was impossible to say at present whether there had been an increase recently; there had certainly been no marked increase. Far Worse In Sydney Similar views were expressed by officials of other shipping companies. They agreed that a certain amount of pilfering was almost inevitable, but were definite that New Zealand ports did not merit the black reputation given them in the message from Sydney. One prominent businessman gave the opinion that pilfering was infinitely worse in Sydney than it had ever been in Auckland.

The Union Steam Ship Company's chartered riiotor-ship Cape York arrived at Auckland from Pacific Coast ports and Apia on February 21. She berthed at Princes Wharf to unload cargo for Auckland, and discharged later at Wellington, New Plymouth, Lyttelton and Dunedin. The ship left Dunedin for Melbourne on March 13.