Farmers’ Transport Problems

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 6

Farmers’ Transport Problems

The problems of transportation for farmers were discussed at the monthly meeting of the North Canterbury provincial executive of Federated Farmers. Mr J. H. A. Hollis said that the 40-mile rail restriction placed a hardship on farmers, especially in relation to fertiliser transport. “When an order Is placed by rail there is sometimes a delay of up to six weeks, and this could cause great difficulties at certain times of the year,” he said. “It is much easier for the farmer to go to the works in his own truck and collect his own fertiliser.” Mr Hollis said that the closure of several branch lines had accentuated the problem as farmers frequently found themselves with a reasonably long haul to their nearest railway station. It was decided to follow the recommendation of the executive’s transport committee and press for an extension of the 40-mile limit Inter-Island Shipping

Mr G. S. Tobeck said farmers were unable to dispose of their surplus goods, especially potatoes, because of difficulties in obtaining trucks on the inter-island ferries. Government pleas for extra production would be falling on deaf ®ars.

Mr A. F. Wright said South Island farmers had had sales cancelled in the North Island because they could not supply goods on time. “I realise the extreme pressure on the inter-island service and with the loss of the Wahine the problem has been accentuated,” Mr Wright said. The executive decided to refer the matter to its transport committee. Bottle Danger

Non - returnable bottles would aggravate the already serious position of bottles on roadsides, said Mr G. K. Boon. If these were just thrown along the roadsides, then they could be highly dangerous when it came to harvesting time; as well they would be dangerous for any type of work along road frontages. Mr T. Abbott suggested that bottles should be charged at a rate of 10c each to discourage their being thrown away. The executive will ask for the collection of farm statistics to be made after June 30, instead of January 31. Mr B. A. McLauchlan said a July-June year would be more convenient to farmers.

Soccer Win.—The Wellington soccer team beat Manawatu, 5-1, at the Batin Beaerva qn Wednesday night.