STOCK ON HIGHWAYS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 22

STOCK ON HIGHWAYS

Damage Caused by Cattle

LOWER RAIL FREIGHT URGED

The damage caused by mobs of cattle to main highways in country districts was brought before the notice of the Prime Mni.ster, Kt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, by a deputation which waited on him yesterday touequest him, as Minister of Railways, to give consideration to a reduction in freight rates by rail, particularly for boner cattle. The deputation was introduced by Mr. J. N. Massey (Govt.—Franklin), who .stated that the boner cow problem was affecting Auckland in particular to a marked degree. Prices for boner beef were down to the 1914 level, but railway freight rates were altogether out of proportion. The result was the county councils were put to considerable expense in maintaining roads and provid.ng stock routes, us the high railway charges led to the cattle being driven through to Otahuhu. A reduction in the freight rates (o, enable the animals to be sent by rail would mean an enormous increase in business to the railways. , .Similar views were expressed by Mr. C. 11. Clinkard (Govt—Rotorua) and Mr. J. Linklater (Govt.— Manawatu The latter said the problem also existed in the Manawatu and Wellington districts. Mr. F. M. Waters, chairman of the Manukau County t Council, said the chairmen of the various counties throughout the Waikato were united in asking for some urgent action. Any restrictions the county councils imposed would be passed on to the farmers and reduced freights appeared to be the only solution. Asked by Mr. Forbes to explain the position, Mr, G. 11. Mackley, general manager of railways, said the department was anxious to get all the business it could, but in freight reductions it had reached almost the irreducible minimum. By further concessions the railways would lose more than they would gain. Mr. Forbes said it was the general rule for low-priced stock to be sent by road rather than by rail. However, he promised to have the position investigated as soon as possible.