HOME STEAMERS DELAYED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3578, 18 July 1912, Page 2

HOME STEAMERS DELAYED.

DOMINION MERCHANTS LIKELY TO BE SERIOUSLY INCONVENIENCED.

A RESULT OF THE TRANSPORT

(STRIKE

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent AUCKLAND, July 17. The effect of the strikes among the transport workers in England is likely to be keenly felt in the Dominion ports before long. Practically all the June and July despatch steamers of the principal British lines operating in the Dominion have suffered delays of a more or less serious nature, as a result of the transport workers refusing to handle the cargo. For some time hence there will be very few Home steamers arriving' at Auckland, and importers who have been depending on receiving goods this month will, in consequence, be much disappointed. The effect will also he keenly felt bv the waterside workers locally, who although supporting the action of the transport workers, will no doubt find the present financial loss a serious matter.

The New Zealand Shipping Co.’s Opawa has been delayed a fortnight, and the Otaki for two months. The Otaki is to make Auckland her first port of call, and the Turakina and Remuera have also a quantity of. cargo for merchants here. These vessels have a cargo capacity for about 8000 tons, and each will be bringing from 5000 to 7000 tons of cargo to the Dominion, so they alone account for a shortage of at least 2000 tons. Tli© mail steamer Ruabine, the local office has been advised, is to sail from London on her scheduled date, August 1, so that the. public will not experience any inconvenience in regard to their Home letters. _ . The Shaw Savill steamers IVaimana, Athenic, and Rangatira, were to have sailed from London for New Zealand on June 11, June 20, and July 7, respectively, but up to the present no advice has been received of the vessels having left the Home port. The Rangatira and the Waimana arc to come to Auckland direct, while the Athenic is to go’to Wellington. The vessels will account for a shortage of about 18,000 tons of cargo. Other lines have been similarly delayed and the steamers under those flags will carry at least 15,000 tons of cargo for Dominion norts. Since the labor troubles became so acute in England some 12 months ago, rendering the despatch of steamers toi Colonial ports unreliable, it- has been unusually busy in securing orders tor American goods, and there are at present a particularly large numbei of steamers en route to New Zealand ports from New "York or on the loading berths at the American ports toi the Dominion. . . Until the labor troubles m England become more settled, the British exporters will ,he laboring under a disadvantage in regard to some lines or goods. ______