FREIGHT OF GRAIN IN SACKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7824, 17 June 1909, Page 4

FREIGHT OF GRAIN IN SACKS.

Per Preee Association, CHRISTCHURCH, June 16. At this afternoon's meeting .of the New Zealand Farmers' i Union Executive, the chairman- (Mr R. Evans) referred to the deputation, consisting of Messrs Davey, Laurenson, Witty,, Ell, Buxton, Craigie, McLaren, Arnold, Glover, and Poole,, M.P.'s.,. which waited on the Minister . for Railways to urge that the, ' regulation, under which sacks containing wheat, oats, or barley exceeding 2031b are charged four times the ordinary freight, should be extended to apply to other produce, which has to he handled by manual labour. The speaker said that many extravagant statements had been made by members of the deputation in- regard to the weight of grain sometimes put into sacks. It was stated that bags were made to contain as much as 2701bs of grain. He thought a sub-committee-should be appointed to ascertain, facts and communicate them to the Minister. Mr, T. H. Davey had stated that the Canterbury .Farmers' Union had pooh-poohed the idea that men could not carry 240 to 2601b5, alleging that the race must be deteriorating. Such a statement, the chairman said, was quite incorrect. The Union had not discussed the question of the •weight a man should. carry, and the only thing discussed was the size of sacks. ' ' Aftei- discussion it was resolved that the Minister for Railways be written to stating that the Executive was, in favour of all grain and seeds in bags being limited to 200lbs.