WHARF PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23997, 21 June 1941, Page 12

WHARF PROBLEM

CARGO CONGESTION

WORKING LONGER HOURS AGREEMENT BY PARTIES A spirit of ro~oper.ition among shipping;, transport and commercial interests in an effort to alleviate the congestion of cargo on the Auckland wharves was revealed at a special conj fereuee convened yesterday by the Auckland Harbour Board. ReprcsontaI fives of the various interests welcomed ja suggestion by the board to operate ; over extended hours daily when necessary, and appointed a committee to facilitate the handling of goods from I the board's transit sheds. ' The chairman of the Harbour Board. Mr. H. Luke, welcomed a gathering of fully l>() representatives. He said the conference had been arranged to try to find some practical way of improving the work of the port, easing the difficulties of importers, and generally aiding the Dominion's war effort. The war had created complications. Extending Hours "These difficulties must be overcome if ive are to play our part in this struggle, and we must all lie prepared to co-operate and to make whatever sacrifices may be necessary," stated the chairman. The recent decision to work overseas vessels day and night throughout the week did not go far enough, and might well defeat itself if it, resulted in the transit sheds being blocked with goods discharged at night time and week-ends when carriers had ceased work and warehouses were closed. A deputation from the .Master Carriers' .Association had waited on the board recently, continued Mr Luke, aud suggested that, li the sheds could be opened an hour earlier and remain open an hour longer each working day, a considerable improvement would be effected in the clearance of sheds. "'The Harbour Hoard is prepared to dn this and to bear all charges involved. in the employment of its staff during those overtime periods, provided shipping companies, carriers, merchants and warehousemen are prepared , to co-operate and take advantage of the longer working hours," he added. Ho suggested that the extension of hours, which would only be necessary when ships were worked by piglit shifts, be given effect to immediately il acceptable to the interests concerned. Support for Suggestion The board had given consideration to suggestions that there should be some relaxation of its demurrage charges to meet the difficult times, but felt it was not in the interests of the port to do so. 'The board was willing, however, to consider individual appeals on their merits. Speaking on behalf of importers. Mr. t.iainor .Jackson assured the chairman that importers would support the proposal for extended hours, and lie would recommend that warehouses be opened to conform with the hours at the sheds. Mr. L. A. Eady. president, of the Chamber of Commerce, and Messrs. (i T. Brown and E. .J, Bassett expressed appreciation of the board s action and welcomed the suggestions. Assurances that their organisations would readily co-operate and accept the longer hours were given by Mr. .J. H. Moon. Master Carriers' .Association, and Captain R. S. Lewis. Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores' Association. Air. W. J. Cuthbert. assistant waterfront controller, assured the board of 100 per cent support to its proposals. Relief for Wharves Captain Lewis said ho thought the time had arrived for the board to make arrangements for the handling ol goods awav from the wharves. It might be | advisable to erect a temporary structure. The chairman said he would bring that suggestion before the board. A resolution tor the adoption ol longer hours was carried. Ir provided for opening the sheds from t a.m. to G p.m from Mondays to I'ridays, with an interval from noon to t p.m., unci from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. In expressing the readiness of the Railway Department to assist, Mr. G S. Reid, district traffic manager, pointed to the diliiculties ol handling goods received after p.m In reph to suggestions for the quicker handling I of bulk consignments of goods, the chairman said the board planned to provide a special area at a wharl aloiu the waterfront road. I his would bo taken in hand after the export wharf was completed. A special committee will be appointed representative oi the Aucixland Shipping and Stevedores Association, the Waterfront Commission, the Master Carriers' Association, and the boards traffic manager.