PROTESTS BY GRAIN SHIPPERS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 612, 15 September 1909, Page 10

PROTESTS BY GRAIN SHIPPERS.

EECEIVING- AND STOEIN6 ..' (By Tclegraiili-Pross A'eSdciaUon.l- ' . . . ' ■'-"■ '■'• Dunedin,"September 14:: , -. At a meeting of rep'resetttdtives.'of the grainexporting firnis tJ-day;'protest,;-was" made against the action of the Otago Harbour Board in; connection with the. receipt of grain'for shipment. The special complaint, has reference to the shipment:-of; cbrtain^rain , by.theisis.'. , Cornwall. ,It was contended that the Harbour Board had let to John Mill and'.Co..-the contract 'for receiving,;.-storing,.''and''d6livbririg, cargo, but that -the-, contractor 'refused, to , undertake the storage, with the result'that eeriou3 delay occurred iii getting shipments away. The Harbour Board had taken up the attitude that-it was absolutely necessary to take goods direct from tho carts to the ! ship. Eventually a deputation waft appointed to wait on the secretary of .-the Harbour Board.' The: meeting authorised tho deputation to say (but not as-a threat) that if nothing could be. done'exporters would 1 have to ship from Port'Chalmers. -It' was pointed out that'to ship at Dunedin cost 2s. 9d., and at Port'Chalmers 3s. Cd., but: for the extra 9d. they v could be sure of getting all .stuff away with half trouble. !""■■■ "The deputation and secretary of the Harbour Board discussed' tho matter, the latter intimating that the board was working within its by-laws .in thej'attitude which it took up.