CARGO PILLAGING

Evening Star, Issue 24289, 2 September 1942, Page 6

CARGO PILLAGING

MEASURES TO REDUCE LOSSES (P.A.) WKLLINGTOiN, Sept. 1. A protest against Wellington being blamed for more tlian its share of cargo pillaging was made by Mr \V. 1. J. jJlvtit at a meeting of the Wellington Cbamlber of Commerce to-nigbt. He referred to the report of a discussion on the subject tv the Canterbury Cliamber, which one paper headed “ Wellington alleged a centre.” That, he said, was a very drastic statement. Mr Jilyth said his information was that a great deal of pillaging occurred on trucks between Christchurch anti Lyttelton. At the Canterbury meeting one case of pillaging mentioned was that of £l7B worth of hosiery. Actually that pillaging had occurred in Liverpool, and 12 men had been sent to gaol for it. It was very disheartening to find one chamber “ blasting ” another chamber or another port, he concluded. Captain S. Holm said the Associated Chambers had made recommendations designed to reduce pillaging, if pillaging occurred in one part of a ship the names of the men working in that part were listed. It was not a “ black list,” hut if a man’s name recurred frequently he might be spoken to. This seemed the only way to track down offenders. It was not fair that honest men should bo blamed for a dishonest minority. The scheme was already working in some vessels, and he hoped it would be extended.