IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 4066, 16 February 1932, Page 10

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

MEETING OF OTAGO ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association Executive was held on Tuesday evening. The president (Mr H. E. Campbell) was chairman. A report was received from Mr A. Jeavons, a member of the sub-committee appointed to meet other local associations to consider the difficulty that has arisen in regard to the connecting up of the rails on Victoria wharf with the railway system. His advices followed along the lines of the meeting already reported. The meeting considered the action of the association in addressing the overseas shipping companies suggesting that in view of steamers in some instances now coming to the Dominion via the Cape of Good Hope in lieu of via Panama w’hether it would not be possible to make Dunedin the first port of discharge seeing that such vessels had practically to pass this port on their way north. If this was done the -local importers would be able to receive prompt delivery instead of having to wait some ■weeks while steamers were working their way dowm from- northern ports. The replies received suggested that thus far comparatively few vessels had adopted the changed route, but that if it became more general the suggestion of the association would receive consideration. A further letter was read addressed to the local office of the New Zealand Shipping Company thanking it for having arranged to bring the City of DunI kirk up to Dunedin instead of discharging at Port Chalmers as was first intended. It was mentioned that this vessel was drawing 23 feet when navigating the Victoria channel. The secretary reported in ' connection with the interview he had had with Mr W. W. Service, agent of the P. and O. Company in Sydney, when in Dunedin, in regard to facilitating the prompt forwarding of all cargo arriving in Sydney for transshipment to Dunedin. Mr Service had promised to take the matter up fully on his return to Sydney, not only in regard to his own company, but with others interested.

Satisfaction was expressed by all present at the prospect of the new line of steamers of the Southern Pacific Shipping Company being shortly in operation between South Island ports and Melbourne and Sydney.

It was decided that the association should participate in the proposed farewell function to Mr H. Turner, of Dunedin, prior to his departure for London as the representative of the Fruit Board. A matter considered was a complaint received from a member of the association regarding a recurrence of the practice of inserting objectionable and unwarranted clauses on the face of bills of lading.—After due consideration it was decided that there was every cause for complaint, and it was decided if necessary to obtain a legal opinion in the matter.

A lengthy discussion ensued on the question of exchange rates and the present difficulties confronting all classes in this connection.