Wharf Congestion

At Suva

Not Yet Solved

EVEN with the erection of two additional wharf sheds, cargo congestion at Suva has not yet been overtaken.

Another large shed is nearing completion but in the opinion of members of the Suva Chamber of Commerce the increasing imports will soon catch up with the addi tional space.

The Government delayed too long in not erecting additional sheds when it became obvious that the wharf facilities could not cater for increasing imports. Importers have contributed to the confusion by not removing cargo as quickly as they might have done, due to lack of storage space in their own warehouses, and in some cases to unwillingness to take up their bank drafts.

Fresh cargoes have arrived and have been bulked-stacked on top of goods from previous vessels, the result being that it has taken weeks for those importers who really wanted prompt delivery to sort out their own goods.

Efforts are now being made to

stack goods in separate heaps for the larger importers, but it has not always been possible to avoid bulk stacking for the larger number of smaller importers. On many occa sions no facilities are available when ships arrive simultaneously. fl Mr. Devi Dayl Bhatia, the fourth Commissioner for the Government of India in Fiji, was welcomed by the Indian community at Lautoka on March 14, the gathering being presided over by Mr. B. D. Laksh

man. Mr. Bhatia spoke on In problems and achievements independence. Later the Cora sioner was entertained at aften tea at the Lautoka Hotel, whe:i met prominent citizens of all i H Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, who; to have left Fiji on April i: London to study Parliamei procedure before he assumes as Speaker of the Fiji Legisl Council, had to postpone his parture for health reasons.

Chronic congestion of cargo storage space at the Suva wharves produces ovei like this. The situation is complicated by the fact that the whole wharf area, wr by the 1952 hurricane and further weakened by the 1953 earthquake, is to be [?] towards Walu Bay, eventually.

Photo: Sti[?]