LOSS OF TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26956, 16 December 1948, Page 2

LOSS OF TRADE

SHIPOWNERS’ CONCERN TRANSFER TO AIR FREIGHT SERVICE PA NEW PLYMOUTH, Dec. 15. In an effort to regain the trade lost by the transfer of cargo to the air freight service, the New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation is advocating the use of large bulk containers for the carriage of flimsy types of packages by in 6 a letter received by the Auckland Harbour Board, the federation stated that the transfer of substantial quantities of cargo to air freight could be partly attributed to the danger of pillaging. “The view is taken by the owners of cargo that any addition by way of freight for. air carriage is offset by the reduced cost of packaging and the certainty of the goods arriving in an unpillaged state,” said the letter. Large bulk containers could be packed on the wharves at the ships’ sides or in sheds at the port of shipment and unpacked on the wharves at the port of destination. , „ . „ The question of wharfage on bulk containers and also of the attitude towards their uSe had been discussed with officials of the Wellington Harbour Board, stated the federation. The board had sought wharfage on the containers as well as on the cargo, however, an attitude unfavourable to the plan. In recent years, shipowners had had to make very substantial payments as the result of the pillage of cargo. Shortages of goods had been a material reason for the increased pillage cost and the shortage of suitable packaging materials during the war had contributed to the ease of pillaging. The federation had been frustrated in an endeavour -to’ form a standard packaging code under the standards institute. The federation's letter was referred to the board in committee.