PILLAGING OF GOODS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 16, 14 October 1943, Page 6

PILLAGING OF GOODS

Increase In Penalties Urged

MANUFACTURERS’ VIEWS Dominion Special Service. NAPIER, October 13. Concern at. the great increase in the organized pillaging of 'goods was expressed by delegates attending the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. A remit from Auckland urging upon the Government the necessity of increasing penalties for such thefts was carried. The conference also favoured heavy penalties for the seller or reseller of stolen goods and stressed that every step possible be taken by the federation to prevent the pillaging of goods in transit by road, rail or sea. It was further agreed that the shipping companies be asked to exercise greater supervision in the handling of goods. Mr. W. B. Darlow’, Auckland, in bringing forward the remit, said that at one time most of the pillaging on the waterfront was of a pettv nature, but during the last few years it had developed into an organized racket. Valuable goods that were irreplaceable had been pillaged. The time had arrived when the Government should be asked to impose more stringent penalties for this offence. Mr. C. V. Smith, president, said that the greatest problem was the catching of the offenders. Mr. Darlow said that there had been a few prosecutions for petty offences, while the master minds in the organized cases escaped. ' Mr. W. Bates, Wellington, suggested that all manufacturers who lost goods should supply returns which should be published. He was satisfied that if the extent of the pillaging was made known the public would be greatly surprised and it would also have the effect of reducing the offences. The opinion that the shipping companies could take greater measures to protect goods was voiced by Mr. H. C. Govan, Christchurch, who said that the manufacturers had been too patient in regard to pillaging. Mr. E. Robinson, Auckland, pointed out that in America instances occurred of whole truckloads of goods being stolen overnight. The manufacturers would assist the Government by -asking that it be made illegal for goods sold not to be properly invoiced. If necessary purchasers should be called upon to prove that they obtained the goods through legitimate channels. It was true that goods were today being black-marketed, but a big percentage of these were stolen goods. Mr. 11. 0, Pittendrigb, Wellington, quoted an instance of 25,000 cigarettes being pillaged. The package on arrival was weighed and was correct, but when opened it did not contain one cigarette. Such pillaging was not haphazard but was carefully organized. The remit was carried unanimously.