ALL CLEAR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 166, 16 July 1942, Page 6

ALL CLEAR

WHARF CONGESTION

IMPORTERS NOT TO BLAME

The recent state of congestion in Auckland wharf sheds has been practically eliminated and Mr. C. J. P. row n. chairman of the recentlyau'.'mented Wharf Clearance Committee, who to-day reported progress to the Chamber of Commerce, was warmly congratulated by the chamber on the results achieved.

The report stated that a big improvement. had been effected as a result of the co-operation of all parties concerned. A great deal of criticism had in the past been aimed against importers, whereas it was now shown that 84 per cent of the cargo on the wharves appeared to have been for Government Departments.

To help maintain ihe present improv "1 position arrangements had been made by the Harbour Board for the better stacking of cargo so that it would more readily be available to consignees.

The Harbour Board was also introducing a system under which carriers or consignees of goods remaining over seven days would be notified.

In the course of ensuing discussion mention was made of the possibility of new Governnrnt regulations concerning this subject being brought, forward.

In this connection Mr. J. A. C. Allum stressed the desirability of avoiding any more regulation, experience showed that these were always restrictive. If anv furthtv powers were felt to be necessary these should be invested in the Harbour Board, as lordly elected people were always in a better position to know local requirements. The chairman pointed out that a report from the importers' section committee expressed similar views, to which he also subscribed.

A resolution was carried drawing attention to the successful manner in which the congestion had been eliminated by voluntary co-operative effort, and expressing the opiniii that if additional powers were fe't to be necessary, these should be* invested in the Auckland Harbour Board as a 1 tcally elected body.