GOODS HELD UP
CONGESTED WHARVES DELAYS IN DELIVERY AT AUCKLAND EFFECTS OF RESTRICTIONS (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND. Jan. 24. Incurring substantial demurrage charges and placing a premium on the limited space available, considerable quantities of imported goods are lying in the wharf sheds of the Auckland Harbour Board. The owners of the consignments are anxious to obtain delivery, but delays in the transit of documents from overseas and difficulties in securing the prompt release of sterling have resulted in the goods remaining in store. Some of the cargo has been in the wharf sheds for several weeks, and. with goods piled high on most of the wharves, the congestion has caused difficulties in making an effective start in the discharging of ships from overseas. It was stated that the position was due to a combination of circumstances. The storage of some goods was a general result of the import restrictions, while in other cases, although the terms of import licences had been complied with, the Reserve Bank was tardy in releasing sterling and the banks were unable to hand over the documents which would release the goods until pavment had actually been made. The outbreak of war also meant an interruption of the Empire air mail service at the cheap rates, and, consequently, many shippers had reverted to surface mails to forward documents to New Zealand. It had been found in some instances that cargoes were reaching New Zealand ahead of the relevant papers, and consequently the goods could not be released by the Customs until these were received. The chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr W. B. Darlow. said that, although the goods on the wharf, were incurring demurrage, this was unsatisfactory from the board's point of view. The sheds were wanted to serve the purpose for which they were erected^ —the free transport of cargo to and from the city. The matter was being taken up with the Customs Denartment and it was hoped that before long it would be remedied.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24205, 25 January 1940, Page 10
Word Count
335GOODS HELD UP Otago Daily Times, Issue 24205, 25 January 1940, Page 10
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