IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 5

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Importers' and Shippers' Association was held on Tuesday evening, when there were present: Mr S. F. Aburn (president, in the chair), and Messrs A. De Beer, J. H. Edmond, J. E, Macassey, J. D. McKechnie, H. L. Smith, J. C. H. Somerville and W. J. Winefield. Before proceeding to the business of the evening, the retiring president, Mr H. L. Smith, in extending a cordial welcome to Mr Aburn as their new president, expressed the keen satisfaction of the executive at his appointment, adding that all felt that under his guidance the affairs of the association would continue to prosper, and to this end he could rely'on the cordial cooperation of all present. Mr Aburn, returning thanks for what he considered the honour accorded him, gave the assurance that he would spare no effort to further the work and interests of the association. Coming to the business of the evening, the secretary first reported on his endeavours to arrange for the Karamea to berth at Dunedin wharf on her recent visit to this port. To this end he had approached the local agents, who had in turn pressed the suggestion with the Marine Superintendent of the line. Unfortunately it was found that owing to the quantity of cargo still, on board on arrival, her draught was such as to preclude all chance of her negotiating the Victoria channel. In regard to the recent failure in delivery of the local portion of the cargo ex the Cape Horn owing to the strike of the crew at Lyttelton, which had led to it being carried on to Melbourne, whence it had been just returned by the Waitaki, no little annoyance was expressed that the latter vessel had not even discharged all such cargo on her' first call, but had overcarrled it on her way north, resulting in the already abnormal and vexatious delay in delivery being yet further increased. The secretary was instructed to take the matter up with the local office of the Union Steam Ship' Company. The secretary read copies of the letters sent in accordance with theresolutions passed at the recent annual meeting of the association, conveying cordial thanks and appreciation for the publicity continued to be given to their work, by the Otago Daily Times and the Evening Star: also a further letter to the honorary auditors. Messrs James Brown and Co.. expressing the gratitude of the association for the generous help given in this connection, and which had been graciouslv accorded for many years past. The secretary read a letter sent to the New Zealand Importers' Federation Wellington, enclosing a copy of the annual report, in which special reference had been made to the unremitting and able efforts of the federation, on behalf not only of local importers but those throughout the Dominion.. The secretary reported that two •fresh claims had been submitted since the last meeting, and both were in orocess of negotiation for a settlement. Before closing the meetins it was unanimously decided that the, secretary write to Mr J M ! Patevjon expressing the very cordial thanks of the executive and members for his most interesting and comprehensive address given at the recent annual, meeting