SHIPPERS AND IMPORTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19474, 8 May 1925, Page 11

SHIPPERS AND IMPORTERS.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. SERVICE TO WEST COAST. The usual monthly meeling of the Executive of tho Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association was held in tho secretary s oflico on Tuesday evening. Mr II C. Campbell was in the chair. Tho Chairman stated that members would doubtless have read with a great deal of satisfaction the particulars regarding tho improved service irom l.ondon to tho South Island porta which tho now steamer Port Dunedin, owned by the Ctmard Dine, would inaugurate on her maiden -voyage. It was hoped that importers would make a special effort to cablo Homo to their shippers to see that us largo a cargo as possible should bo shipped in tho Port Dunedin, which was to sail from London on or about Juno 24. Several members pointed out that some of tho names of steamers in the service indicated that they would not, at the present time, he able to discharge at tho Dunedin wharves, but it was hoped that in duo course tho companies would bo able to arrange their time-tables so that all steamers would bo able to discharge their cargoes at Dunedin wharves. It was expected that, within a reasonable time, tho now shod now being built at tho Kitchener wharf would have railway connection, and later, now that tho north line had been diverted, tho Victoria wharf also. 'Phis would enable vessels to load as well as discharge at tho town wharves. Tho Collector of Customs (Mr J. MTntosh) wrote regarding duly on foreign salt, and it was decided to (hank him for the advice. It was pointed out that it was of great value to tho association to be advised by the department of any alteration in tho tariff. The secretary read a draft letter to M sent to tho shipping companies in London regarding the unsatisfactory condition in which certain classes of cargo have been arriving at this port, due presumably to excessive moisture, in vessels arriving- via tho Panama Canal. This did not, occur to anything tike the same degree when tho vessels came out via tho Capo of Good The matter of the West Coast service wn.s again brought forward, tho last vessel having loft f or West Coast ports on April 15, and the Kahika being ttio next—a lapse of’ 22 days. One lirm complained that on March 30 it shipped goods for Greymouth. and pai dthe increased freight for transhipment at Wellington, and yet tho goods took ?5 days to arrive at their destination. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the Union Company and to ask if it was its intention to gradually kill Dunedin’s trade with tho West Coast, which certainly was being clone with the service provided for a considerable time. Word was received that the Union Company had decided to pay claims for cargo landed in a damaged condition shipped from Australia by the Karetu, Several members spoke regarding the Athenic (now discharging her cargo at Port Chalmers), pointing out that a vessel of this size could not negotiate the Victoria channel. It was hoped that the owners would study tho interests of this port by sending vessels which could discharge at Dunedin wharf. One member asked if the shipping companies paid tho difference in the coat between landing goods at Port Chalmers and Dunedin. The secretary replied that, provided accounts lor the difference (viz., 3s 9d per Ion) were sent in (in quadruplicate) to the agents of the vessel within X 4 days after the arrival of the vessel, the amount was paid, but Lie shipping companies did ' not pay any cranage or sorting charges, whieh wore incurred on a considerable number of lines. Another complaint was that tho Railway Department refused to accept consignment, notes from importers for any linos that they might wish to send forward to stations north of Dunedin, thus involving payment of railage from Port Chalmers to Dunedin, and. on the return journey to the north, railage on nine miles from Dunedin to Port, Chalmers, ft was pointed out that at Lyttelton special provision ivas made at a reduced rate by the Railway Department for consignments ro go direct to the country, even although they bar) Io bo sorted at Christchurch. One member pointed out that it seemed hardly logical that whilst hills of lading stipulated that the ship’s liability ended when tho goods wore hanging in tho ship s slings at Port Chalmers the Railway Department. refused lo acknowledge holders of hills of lading as owners of any goods landed until fhey reached the railway sheds at Dunedin