LACK OF SPACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23830, 4 December 1940, Page 6

LACK OF SPACE

CARGO SHUT OUT TASMAN SHIPPING SERVICE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE Because few vessels are likely to leave Australia in time for the delivery o! goods in the Dominion before the oiul of the year there has been a lug rush for space b,v holders of third and fourth period import licences which will he inoperative after December :i]. It is reported that manufacturers who hold licences for raw materials have been unable to book space on vessels scheduled to arrive before the end ol the year. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce recently made further representations to the Government on the scarcity ol shipping from Australia. A loiter it addressed on the subject: to the .Minister of Labour, the Hon. i'. C. Webb, asking that facilities should he extended the Matson Line to carry cargo, has been replied to by the .Minister of Marine, llie Hon. 1). (>. McMillan. The chamber pointed out that the attitude of waterside labour apparently prevented the Matson Line from taking cargo. Mr. McMillan stated that the letter had been referred to him by the .Prime Minister for reply. The chamber was 110 doubt aware that there was no legal prohibition, although the Protection of British Shipping Act, conferred powers to prohibit. From inquiries made the Government was satisfied that on the whole the situation was being well met by the Union Steam Ship Company, and was such as not to justify any action being taken to penalise the Dominion's own shipping interests by taking trade away from them.