POSITION EASIER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26636, 5 December 1947, Page 6

POSITION EASIER

CONGESTED GOODS SHEDS CONTINUED EFFORT NECESSARY Good progress seemed to have been made in clearing the congested sheds on tile Dunedin wharves and in the railway yards, said Mr W. E. Earnshaw, president of the Otago Importers’ and Shippers’ Association, yesterday. A meeting of shipping interests was held on Wednesday to request consignees to work at nights if necessary in order to clear the cargoes which were lying in the sheds. Mr Earnshaw stressed that manufacturers and warehousemen would assist greatly if they opened their premises over the holiday period to keep the sheds free from congestion. Otherwise, yet more ships would be discharging cargo and the position would be further aggravated. Mr A. Matheson, branch manager of the Waterfront Industry Commission, said yesterday that there had been some improvement in ,the position. Some of the cargoes were being unloaded into trucks, which gave the carriers a chance to clear merchandise out of the sheds. The Fort Grant was loading wool, sheepskins and tallow at Victoria wharf and was expected to sail to-day. More ships were due, however, and if the present cargoes were not taken away, it was obvious that ships might have to remain idle after their arrival. Mr W. W. Watt, president of the Otago Commercial Carriers’ Association, said that the general position was improving, although a Victoria wharf shed was still very congested with a large quantity of wool packs. The Railways Department had undertaken to open their goods sheds on Saturday morning to enable goods to go direct to consignees, and some warehouses would be open at night if and when required.