MANAGER INTERVIEWED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9649, 4 July 1919, Page 5

MANAGER INTERVIEWED.

A. CONCESSION MADE.

WELLINGTON, July 3. ■ A committee appointed by the conference of local bodies and Chamber, of .Qqmmcrceo to confer with the Railway Department regarding the new, regulations waited on Air . McViEy. General Manager, to-day, and pointed out certain difficulties which would be experienced, particularly with respect to the provision preventing the carriage of certain commodities except those consigned direct to farmers. It was urged that the- restrictions would put up-country merchants out of business and .serve no useful purpose, inasmuch as they would mean a larger number of smaller consignments and 1 no decrease in the total bulk to be earned.

In. replying Mr JVfoViily agreed to relax the provisions regarding" grain and seeds, on the strict condition that all consignors were careful to see that only, reasonable and normal quantities* were sent to their clients. He refused to make any concession with regard to fertilisers. He also said that, it was • impossible to carry cement just now, but he hoped to be able to review the position in z, week or so.. , . - ' Later on a meeting of delegates of Chambers of Commerce . and other bodies was held, and the result of the deputation to 'Air AlcViHy was ex-' ' plained. A resolution was passed pledging the meeting to do all in its power to . assist the Railway Department' in .the present coal-crisis, and undertaking to prevent, wherever possible, the car- - riage of unnecessary goods. •,-.. Another 'resolution protested against the removal of the restrictions on the carriage on the 'railways of beer, wine and spirits, and urging that the restrictions be immediately reimposed in; view of the urgent requirements of the country for absolutely essential goods. •• As many soldiers recently roturned' to New Zealand wiE be disinclined to , commence their journeys under the four weeks' free railway privilege : ticket^ owing to the curtailed train, ser- - vice, the Railway Department has • agreed to an,extension of the,period.of the availability of the warrant entitling men, to.the ticket. Those who have already taken out tihe four weeks* rail ticket'cannot'secure an extension, but . . men who .have"not yet converted the travelling warrant into a railway ticket; wilt be permitted to do so within one month of the resumption of the normal train service.

Inquiries at -railway stations bear out the supposition that travellers by train are how confined praetfcafly ' to those who must com© to or leave WelKngton on business. Long distance pleasure traffic appears to have ceased almost entirely.