IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19013, 8 November 1923, Page 3

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

The monthly mealing of the Dunedin Importers and Shippers' Association was hold on Tuesday night in the office of the secretary, when n number of important matters were dealt with. A lirni wrote to the association regarding the attitude of the Railway Department in connection with receipts tor goods receiver! from shins discharging at Port 'Chalmers. H was resolved that, the Traffic Department ho approached with the idea of getting a better understanding regarding this matter. r. After various communications with the Comptroller of Customs, also the Importers’ Association in Auckland. Wellington, and Christchurch, a Idler was received from the Comptroller of Customs in regal’d to the declaration on import entries, staling that, he had decided that the form of declaration, which the department had brought down, but which, 'up to the presold. time, has not been put into force, would he reconsidered, and that he was quite willing (o amend it to anything that the association might recommend, provided that sufficient, protection was given to the department against any fraudulent trader. The Chairman reported that, through the association a meeting had been held between (he fruit, exporters and the representatives of the shipping companies during their Inst, visit to Dunedin, and he was pleased to say that it. was successful in every way, and it was anticipated that next season increased facilities would be available for shipments from Central Otago. The delay to traffic nt Rattray street crossing wn,s discussed nl some length, and it, was resolved to interview the department. regarding an arrangement for the arrival and departure of goods trains from the goods yard direct, so as to obviate the necessity of their being taken across Rattray street into the station yard and then reeroesing again on their departure for the south. ’file Chairman reported that the Harbour Board had erected verandahs .it practically all it.s sheds, which enabled goods to he loaded in wet. weather without, causing damage; and that the. Railway Department should ho approached to deal similarly with the D shed, which received the outward traffic. It was pointed out that goods loaded under cover at the wharves in wet weather, owing to the absence of K verandah at the railway shed, are still signed for by the Railway Department as “Received in the Rain,” which practically relieves the Railway Department of any liability regarding the condition of the goods on arrival at destination. The Chairman reported that in conjunction with the Cham Iter of Commerce ?■ meeting had lieen held with a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce and importers from Invercargill regarding better communication from the United Kingdom, both for imports and exports, for the South Island, and as a result a letter was being forwarded to the Shipowners' Federation in Wellington regarding the matter, and it was hoped that some improvement would shortly be forthcoming.