CARGO PILFERING

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1921, Page 3

CARGO PILFERING

ENQGIBY OHDEKED BY COMMON WEALTH. ' SYDNEY, Ed). 15. New Zealand importers, who appear to suffer from cargo thieves just as much as the Australians—and cargo pilfering in this country lias a hunt reached the “limit”—may he interested in the action taken by the federal Government. The Government has is-. sued a commission to Mr Maclarlane, a well-known Sydney magistrate, authorising him to enquire into a report upon the following matters: — 1. Whether pilfering is carried on to any serious extent in regard to—(a) Cargoes from overseas. (b) Interstate traffic. 2. Whether pilfering takes place (a i Before ships come here. (h) During the voyage to the port of lostination. (e) In the holds during discharge of ■argoes from vessels when in Australian jorts. (d) While goods are on the wharf or n wharf sheds. (e) Subsequent to delivery from vbarf. 3. Whether any indication can be riven as to t.lie percentage ot pilfering mder the various subdivisions. 4. Whether persons convicted of dfences involving dishonesty are employed on the wharves.' .. 5. Whether there is any proof of •onspiraey between Customs officers ind others to enable pilfering to' be meeessfully carried out. (i. Whether the evidence indicated hat action was taken to assist con- j ,jeted offenders by pooling penalties ither than imprisonment. | 7. Whether there was evidence that) < >ilferod goods were disposed of through j receivers or “fences.” ! 8. What special measures, if any, ,vere necessary to prevent pilfering of, •argo. . _\| r Macfarlane will conduct a special mquiry in each of the principal ports , if the Commonwealth, and it is exacted that the evidence given will be :ery interesting. It is known that the losses through cargo pilfering amount , n this country to many hundreds of ( | thousands' per annum, but the public j , loes not know of the cunning, and ( , iften mysterious, methods by which die cargoes are broached. i