DIRECT SHIPMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1921, Page 4

DIRECT SHIPMENTS.

THE SAVING TO IMPORTERS. <S PORT PIRIE FROM LONDON. The C. and D. liner Port Pirie, tba thirtieth overseas steamer to berth at the port of New Plymouth, arrived from London, via Auckland and Wellington, yesterday morning. This is the vessel’s final port of discharge, the amount of cargo to be put out here being 1924 tons, consisting of 1550 tons of e!ag, 280 tons of salt and cement, and about 94 tons of general merchandise. On entering the port the Port Pirie was drawing 17ft 2in forward and 20ft sin aft, and she was berthed comfortably without incident. She is expected to be in port for about seven days in all, taking in about 500 tons of cargo after putting out her quota for New Plymouth. Although the amount of general cargo brought from the United Kingdom by the Port Pirie is not as large might have been expected, it must be remembered that this, is the period of the trade slump and full shipments cannot be obtained even for the larger ports of New Zealand; in fact, many steamers are now coming out in ballast. According to a local merchant, the direct shipments of 1924 tons by th© Port Pirie will result in a saving to Taranaki of about £6OOO. If the total of 30,000 to 40,000 tons of overseas merchandise coming to New Plymoutn via Wellington were shipped direct, the saving would be over £lOO,000, not to speak of the elimination o£ delay, trouble and pillage that characterise the transhipments at Wellington. This gives an idea of-the value of direct shipping to Taranaki, and emphasises the great need for pushing on with all possible expedition with harbor improve, meats. After leaving New Plymouth the Port Pirie proceeds to Port Chalmers, where she will be dry-docked and painted, afterwards loading in New Zealand ports for the United Kingdom.