MOUNTING LOSSES IN PILLAGED GOODS.

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1947, Page 7

MOUNTING LOSSES IN PILLAGED GOODS.

WELLINGTON, July 14. "Members of the New Zealand Shipowners' Eederation are very concerned at the action of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers ' Union in ref using to work today as a mark of the union 's disapproval against methods used by a detective at that port in obtaining evidence in conneetion with pillage from a coastal vessel," says a federation statement. "The amount paid for pillaged and short-landed cargo has grown to such an extent that it behoves everybody and every organisation connected with the coastal carriage of goods to use its best endeavonrs to eliminate these costs. They are very disturbed at the cost involved and dissatisfaction to consignees, and the position calls for drastic action. ' ' Figures for pillaged and short landed goods paid for by N.Z. companies, have been taken out for the last eight years and are as follow. These are exclusive of damaged cargo and also claims paid by overseas ship-owners and the N.Z. Railways at railway ports: — 1939, £5069 17s lOd; 1940, £4968 7s lOd; 1941, £4914 7s 8d; 1942, £7536 19s 7d; 1943, £10,221 Is 9d; 1944, £11,269 '12s 6d; 1945, £15,951 5s; 1946, £21,390 7s lOd. "These figures surely call for some immediate attention. Reference was made recently by the chairman of directors of a coastal shjLpping company in his annual report to shareholders, as follows: — 'Annual claims for damaged cargo and pilfering are nearly three limes what they were in 1939 and this year amounted to 14 per cent of the company k paid up c&pilaiy* '