SHIPPING DAIRY PRODUCE

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1542, 30 August 1924, Page 4

SHIPPING DAIRY PRODUCE

TOO MANY LOADING PORTS. Speaking recently in the House of Representatives, Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisorne) voiced the general dissatisfaction .regarding the matter of irregular arrivals of our dairy produce at Home. There is :io doubt whatever that the problem of dairy produce shipments catsl for some immediate action. Mr Lysnar referred to definite instances where steamers 1 had taken 75, 82 and SO days to load here and reach London, thus causing serious loss t othe producer. In conversation with a Waipa Post representative • recently a prominent shipping official stated that in his opinion the solution of the problem rested to a large extent with the tanner himself. Seamers arriving to load were asked to call at many ports to obtain their freight, and this, of necessity, entailed delay in final sailing. If some satisfactory method could be adopted whereby loading could be effected at, say two main ports—one in each island—instead of the present half a dozen calls, departure from New Zealand could be expedited. No complaint could be lodged as to the time taken in transport to the Home market, the only reason for delay being the desire on the part of 'shippers for steamers to make several calls .to complete loading, instead of 'concentrating on a main centre in each island.

While this may not be a complete solution to a vexed question, yet there can be little doubt that a great saving could be effected by shippers endeavouring to centralise their loading operations. This, of cburse, opens up the vexed question of railway freights and communications, and it behoves the community, through their various organisations, to get behind the Government and make no uncertain -'claim to a serious reconstruction policy in this direction. With cheaper freights, additional trucking accommodation, and better handling facilities, a good way will have been traversed toward saving this delay in shipping, and would al-, so, we doubt not, popularise the railway to an extent that would, perhaps, make them pay a little better than at present.