Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. CARGO PILFERING AND THEFTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2095, 26 February 1920, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. CARGO PILFERING AND THEFTS.

IT was stated at the Inst meeting of the Palmerston Chamber of Commerce by one of the speakers that' one of the reasons why- certain business people preferred Hie railway to the local port for transport' of goods was that the goods were not pilfered. It is scandalous to think that goods in steamer transit are pilfered to such an extent. We are informed that the shipments are received in “good, order and condition” at the '.ship’s side, and upon arrival arc found to he pilfered. The shipping company are mulcted with the loss, which must he pretty considerable during the year, while much inconvenience and worry is caused to retailers. It would, appear as if a clever gang of cargo hroaehers are operating somewhere,, and steps -should be taken to break it up and make an example of the pilferers. It would pay ship owners to put a man in the holds to watch the stowing- and lifting of cargoes. There is a laxity somewhere, and the s)oner it is carefully investigated the better it will he for all concerned. Thieving appears to be rampant throughout the Dominion at present. Whether or .not this is due to the increased cost of commodities—the high cost of living—we are not able to say. It: is thieving of the petty sort, and Foxton is suffering in common with other places. We are informed that, petty thefts are very common locally, clothes lines are stripped, harness, poultry, vegetables, fruit, timber, and numerous other articles changing hands without the usual medium of exchange, ite would suggest that the Chamber of Commerce . and Retailers’ Association

combine in sin cftori Id set uj> a, \ igilancc Committee to assist the police to scotch this state of.allairs.