GOODS BY RAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 95, 22 April 1924, Page 7

GOODS BY RAIL.

NOT BEING ACCEPTED. QUESTION OF MIXED TBAIKS. • Tliq carriage of goods by rail is a matter of vital importance to the country,." Imt at .present the railway authorities arc more interested in the passenger service. This attitude .is due .to the fact, of course, that the public are suffering great inconvenience through the absence of passenger trains, and as yet have practically not felt the absence of •goods trains. One official pointed out to a "Star" representative to-day that at the moment' there was , no urgency.-in- regard to goods traffic, but if tiie strike continued lor a. .few days and a skeleton railway service for passengers was inaugurated, there would be mixed trains made up. Where there was any shortage of food a goods train could possibly be sent with supplies. Meantime goods traffic was not being accepted. For onc'thing the Department did not desire to take over merchandise without any immediate prospect, of being- able to carry it. . • Another point which made the question of goods trains less urgent than that of the passenger traffic, remarked toe official, was the fact that motor lorries could probably assist in the