CANAL TRAFFIC

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21203, 28 August 1940, Page 3

CANAL TRAFFIC

PRESSURE IN GERMANY SHORT OF BARGE CREWS (Times Airmail Service) LONDON, August 1 Efforts are being made to develop : transport on the German canals and ! rivers to relieve pressure on the heavily burdened railways. But one of the biggest problems is the shortage of labour required to man the barges. A short while ago regulations stipulating the qualifications required of barge crews were relaxed, but the shortage still exists. These troubles are mentioned in an article in the Hamburger Tageblatt. The transfer of skilled men ! to other occupations during the years of depression has hit the industry j hard, says the paper. Skilled men, wherever they can be spared, are to be sent to work on the canals, and members of the staffs of canal administration authorities are also to work on the craft. The hard winter stopped traffic on the Elbe and Mittelland Canal for much longer than usual, and trade on the upper reaches of the Elbe was resumed only a few weeks ago. Military transport is now given priority and is followed by other war material. Trade prospects from Hamburg to the interior are not very bright. Traffic on the Elbe-Lubeck Canal is growing and trade is becoming active on the Mittelland Canal, it is stated. But there is a shortage of suitable barges.