DIRECT SHIPPING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27025, 9 March 1949, Page 3

DIRECT SHIPPING

Business Men Approached

Concern at the decline of inward cargoes to the port of Oamaru and the fact that many goods for sale in Oamaru shops were being brought into the town by means other than direct shipping had been expressed by the Oamaru Harbour Board secretary, Mr T. Guthrie, and the harbour master, Mr J. E. Hancox, stated Mr A. H. H. Pearce, secretary of the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce, at the, monthly meeting on Monday night. Mr Pearce stated that it was the aim of the Harbour Board to increase the amount of inward cargoes to Oamaru from Dominion and overseas ports. Mr J. D. Blackgrove stated that-many firms had decreased the imports of their requirements on coastal vessels because of the pilfering which had become so rife Retailers were now using the interisland ferry, rail and air freight service to obtain goods from the North Island. It was also stated that the quantity of goods being brought into the town had been reduced, and it did not pay to ship small parcels. It was further stated that with shipping there could be no guarantee when the goods would arrive, and shopkeepers would use the quickest way possible to obtain the goods from other parts of the country. Mr C. J. Marshall, a member of the Harbour Board, pointed out that the service now given by coastal ships was as good to-day as it had ever been, and that it was up to the merchants to make more use of the shipping facilities so that cargoes could be obtained to enable direct shipments to Oamaru. It was decided to postpone the discussion to a later meeting.