DIRECT SHIPMENT

Southland Times, Issue 18837, 2 June 1920, Page 5

DIRECT SHIPMENT

LONDON TO BLUFF.

MEETING OF LOCAL IMPORTERS.

A meeting of local importers in Allen’s Hall yesterday to consider what actions should be taken to guarantee sufficient cargo for a steamer leaving London in August in order to secure direct bill of lading to Bluff was largely attended. Mr J. Gilkison presided.

The chairman stated that Mr H 5 . I rewe hgd received a cable from London which stated that in order to ensure that the steamer leaving London in August would come direct to Bluff it would be necessary for local importers to guarantee a cargo of 800 tons. That was the first definite step taken in regard to direct shipment to the Bluff, and it was for the meeting to decide what form their guarantee should take.

Mr Drcne stated that it would probably be a wise policy for local importers to instruct their London agents to hold back shipments for some time before the August boat left, so that plenty of cargo would he available. It. was quite reasonable to ask any importer to give that instruction. It would be an easy matter to send a cable

staring that the 800 tons of cargo would be guaranteed, hut they should bear in mind that if eventually only 300 or 400 tons of cargo were obtained, they would probably hear no more about guarantees and also hear no more about direct, shipment to Bluff. lr H.-04 the importers of Southland look a similar risk, and starting with 2,230 tons they reached a maximum of 13,000 tons of cargo. He had no doubt that once they had obtained-a direct steamer to Bluff they would not experience any difficulty in obtaining future cargoes and in establishing a regular service. All their efforts should be concentrated on obtaining a large cargo for the August steamer. Their London representatives had been asked to hold meetings to .consider the matter, and he thought that some good would result. He had drawn up some figures which showed that the lack of direct shipment, meant a heavier loss to importers than most of them probably realised. The extra cost per ton on shipments landed at Port Chalmers to Southland importers was 56s 3d, while the extra cost per ton from Dunedin was 50s fid. The same cargo could be landed at Bluff at 15s 2d per ton, which on a 100 tons meant a saving of £177 over Dunedin shipments, and £206 on shipments landed at Port Chalmers. On the imports of last year it would have meant a saving of £48,000 and it was only reasonable to expect that within a very short period the imports would show a considerable increase. The delays and difficulty in getting shipments carried from northern ports had also to be taken into consideration. He thought that it should he pointed out in (he cable that the cost of railage at £1 per ton from Bristol to London would he more than compensated for by the reduced charge at this end. On account of the' large shipments of kerosene end benzine now coming from America, it would probably be lo the advantage of importers to" consider the question of direct steamers from America, but that could be done at a later date.

Mr R. Dunlop, representing the soft-goods warehousemen, stated that on receiving the letter in regard to the August steamer and direct shipment, he had instructed London agents 10 send consignments oy vessel? goinc direct to Bluff.

Mr J. Crosby Smith stated that in addition to the saving in cash, direct shipment meant a saving in time. It was often four or five weeks before goods landed at Wellington and other northern ports, were received by local importers. Mr It. tt Royds, manager of Rnyds Kras anti Kirk, stated that the matter was a very important one to all sections of traders, and it hail occurred to him that it might lie advisable for the different sections of trade to get. together and discuss the question. It might be possible for them to procure 800 tons alone. The New Zealand Salt. Company should be approached with a view to having all shipments of salt held over until the August shipment. Some goods which had been landed at 'Wellington in March were still there awaiting transhipment, and it was dillicult to state when they would be forwarded to Invercargill. If they could cope with the large quantities of cargo purchased on a c.i.f. basis over which the importers had not direct control, there would he little difficulty in obtaining sufficient cargo for the August boat, and perhaps a telegram to the headquarters branch of such firms would be effective. From past experience he find no doubt that they would have plenty of cargo to more than warrant a direct service, but they must make sure of the first boat.

Mr c G. B. George. secretary of (lie Bluff Harbour Hoard, slated that the Government very often imported heavy cargo, such as railway lines, by direct shipment, and the Public Works Department might be ap- [ rnaci'c.i to sec if it was possible for the Department to ensure shipment of any heavy goods hy the August steamer. Mr Wish, representing the New Zealand Milk Products Company, stated that their chief difficulty was that they did not know from day to day what was coming. Their home agents had been instructed to attend the meeting in London. They were, however, prepared to give every support possible to the movement.

The chairman said that he thought the first need was to take some preliminary steps to delegate representatives from each of the various trades to combine all shipments in August. Mr Boyds suggested that it might be a good plan for importers to get into touch with indent agents and obtain their signatures to a letter authorising the accumulation of two months’ orders until the August shipment. Mr .1. G. Smith then moved the following resolution ; ‘‘That this meeting of importers guarantees SCO tons of cargo for August shipment hy direct boat to the Bind.” Mr H. W. Boyds seconded the motion.

Mr D. Wesney raised the question as to whether exporters at the other end would have sufficient materials manufactured and ready for shipment bj- the be at in August. One of the members present stated that his firm was expecting 300 tons of cargo to be shipped in August and would endeavour ti. find out if it was eom.ng by this boat.

The motion was carried unanimously, and Messrs H. F. Drewe, 8.. Dunlop, H. W. Royds, Wish, S. McDonald, J. Macalistor, J. L. Wilson, and J. Gilkison were appointed a committee to ascertain what cargo would be available and to ensure that Home agents v.oi.ld be cabled to requesting them to hold shipments till (he August boat.

Mr H. F. Drewe then stated that, it should be made, known that (he local importers were prepiared to pay the railage from Bristol to London. It was not fair to ask merchants to export salt and to quote the same price c.i.f. and e unless the importers were prepared to pay the extra charge. Other importers present agreed woh Lir Drewe and it was decided to notify merchants to this effect.