AID FROM THE ARMY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 119, 22 May 1942, Page 5

AID FROM THE ARMY

UNLOADING WAR CARGOES

SYDNEY, May 21. The army Is praying an important part in relieving congestion at Australian ports by unloading war cargoes and transporting them to places where they are urgently needed. Ihe Allied Command General Headquarters has now revealed the formation of army dock operating companies.

The main purpose of these companies is to economise shipping time and reduce delay at ports, as well as disperse valuable property from target areas, which all port installations would become in the event of Japanese attacks. An Australian docks' operating detachment was formed for service in Singapore. This unit has done excellent work since its return and has inspired the establishment of other similar units. The United States Army authorities have stated that they are gratified at the greatly increased dispatch with which war goods are handled. The army has formed port control detachments throughout the ComI monwealth. They include stevedores and shore labour and they aim to have available sufficient labour at the principal ports to handle effectively any shipping emergency which may arise.

Central cargo control committees are being established under the direction of the Minister of Customs, Mr. Ft- V. Keane, and they are concerned with the dispersal of all cargoes. It is intended to reduce the storage time for private cargoes from six to three daj T s.