PILFERING CARGO

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1920, Page 7

PILFERING CARGO

£1,000,000 DOSS IN AUSTRALIA. By Telejraph.—Press Assn.—Clopyrlgnt. Melbourne, Nov. 0. In the Senate, Mr. Earle moved an adjournment for the discussion of cargo pilfering. He quoted statements that the toll exacted by the waterfront workers of Australia exceeded £300,000, and, including petty pilfering, probably the total was over £1,000,000. In support .of a statement that an organised system was in operation he stated that a boot manufacturer, in order to prevent thefts, sent all loft foot boots in one ship and all those for the right foot in another, but two cases from each consignment disappeared. He urged the need for action on the part of the Commonwealth and the State (governments and the unions involved.

Mr Pearce declared that if the statements were true they constituted a stigma upon the waterfront workers. No self-respecting organisation would Kit quiescent under such charges. He had been told that detectives placed on vessels took their lives in their bands. If they went into the ship's hold they were in danger of falling cases. lie promised to consult the State Governments with a view to taking remedial measures.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.