CARGO PILLAGING

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1927, Page 1

CARGO PILLAGING

AMAZING FIGURES,

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, Aug. 23. ! Amazing figures showing the exten of pillaging in Australian and Nov Zealand services are disclosed in tin report of a sub-committee of ship owners and merchants. Chambers o: Commerce and Protection Indemnity Association. Among the startling discoveries is the fact that eighty pci cent, of one Indemnity Association’. 1 round voyage claims in throe years arose in the Australian-New. Zealand trade, 50 per cent, in Australia and 30 per cent, in New Zealand. 20 per cent, covering all other. The ships carrying cargoes on which this Association’s figures were based totalled 742, of which only fifty were exclusively engaged in the Australian-New Zealand trade. Shipowners, trading to Australia paid £170.000 in claims during the last three years. Further figures embracing one hundred and ton steamers, show the claims average 2s 2d per ton of pillagahle cargo. The amounts to nine lines paid for pillaged or short landed cargoes are as follows:—For 1924, £41.723; 1925, £50,154; 1920, £42,308. One Line’s figures iay.s the report, show conclusively that village in the Australian trade is treater than others. The amounts in vonec .per ton are as follows : Kobe .Bd, ■Singapore Id, Yokohama 1.2 d; Sliangm.i 2.5 d, Hong Kong 3.3 d. Then Ausralian ports, Adelaide 1.7 d, Melbourne !.2d, Sydney 4.8 d. Brisbane 15.9 d. Another Line reports a loss of 14.15 d per fon on Homeward cargo from A,usfralia, compared with 1.3 d from East. Sydney importing firms sot down the loses for 1925 at £5.600 and 1926 at £7.000. The report points out that- merchants who adopted metal seals on joints of case hoards are finding pillngo losses reduced. The committee draws attention to the fact that as privately owned wharves at Brisbane places them under Police Offences Act. the police have no right of search until the suspect is outside the wharf. Efforts to got the wharf employees appointed special constables failed. This should he rectified. The reports recommends the London Committee should remain in existence in order to consider further information, and suggests the same bodies should form similar committees at tiie prineipa ports in Australia and Now Zealand, in co-operation with London.