IRREGULAR SHIPPING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 200, 22 August 1944, Page 7

IRREGULAR SHIPPING

MERCHANTS IN WANGANUI CONCERNED CONTROLLER’S 'ASSURANCE Inconvenience caused merchants and other traders fry coastal vessels being diverted to other ports, instead of maintaining regular trips to Wanganui. was referred to at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce night, when correspondence between the [Wanganui Grain. Seed, and Produce [Merchants’ Association and the Shipping Controller, Mr. J. Gilbert, was read. “Members of your association arc probably aware of shipping delays which recently caused a good deal of inconvenience to merchants,” the association stated in a letter to the chamber, enclosing copies of the correspondence. A serious position arose when the Storm and Holmdale were diverted to other ports recently, the association stated in its letter to the controller. These diversions, followed by bad weather, resulted in shortages of foodstuffs being accentuated. Bakers were concerned over short supplies of flour and meals, and produce lines were similarly affected. Merchants in Wanganui were already seriously inconvenienced by short shipping of consignments from the south, and with the interruption of schedules the position must become further involved. The Shipping Controller (Mr. J. Gilbert) stated in his reply that at the time shipping was seriously hampered because of bad weather and shortage of labour, and in the circumstances . it was not possible to give the service desired. “I should like to point out,” the controller added, “that due to a shortage of tonnage occasionally it is necessary to divert, for a short time, vessels at present running to Wanganui, in order to cater for other services which do not enjoy. the same regularity as your port. It is realised, however, that during the height of the produce season regular running is desired to cater for the cargo offering, and every effort will bo made to maintain this. Before the advent of the next produce season,it is hoped to have additional tonnage on hand to assist in the coastal trades,” “We should push for better steamer facilities for Wanganui, otherwise it [will be diverted elsewhere,” said Mr. IW. S. N. Bennie. He added that vessels were picking up large cargoes for elsewhere at Picton. with the result that on arrival at Wanganui they were so deeply laden That it was impossible to come up to the Town Whar without partially discharging at Castlecliff. This meant extra handling charges and was unfair to consigness. One coastal vessel was absent from Wanganui for 21 days.

Picton had always been a port of call for ohe company,’ but because of ships being on war service the fleet han been reduced frem three ships to one. said Mr. A. E. Millward. The chamber decided to write to the Shipping Controller in support of the representations made by the Grain and Seed Merchants' Association.