THE RAILWAY "CUT"

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 40, 16 August 1919, Page 13

THE RAILWAY "CUT"

STRONG CASE FOR CARRIAGE OF TIMBER.

(BI TELBBRAPB.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ;. TAIHAPE, 15th'August, o The following telegram nas been sent by Mr! R. W. Smith, M.P., to the Prime Minister:—"Another case has come* under notice of the Railway Department refusing to rail sufficient timber to provide back cargo for a ship bringing coal from Australia. This is the fourth case of the kind. I respectfully point out .that many Australian timber brokers contract on an advance for New Zealand timbers, then'sell on forward delivery to Australian consumers. \ To ensure the fulfilment of their undertolling with millers and consumers they charter vessels and bring coal as back ! loading. It is obvious, therefore, that it is solely timber they cater for, and if the Department refuse- to rail timber to load the vessels they will, cease sending them. As you know, timber is the only product that New Zealand can supply in sufficient quantities to back load vessels bringing coal from Australia. If this insane" policy is continued, shipping will be diverted elsewhere, and absolutely lost to the Dominion. Is it any wonder that- coat supplies are not 'increasing as they should? Please give this very im-. portant matter your personal and immediate attention."

The Mayor of Ohakune has also addressed the following • telegram to the Prime Minister:—"l consider it right to apprise you of the serioas position expected to arise at an early date regarding unemployment, owing to the railway restrictions. The sawmills are expected to close down at ths end of this month. This will throw 600 men out of employments, with dependents representing 2000 people. The district is mainly dependant on the milling industry, and returned soldiers daily inquiring for work will greatly aggravate the situation. Understand the Government has decided to provide for such extreme contingencies by making disbursements for necessary public works to afford employment. Will such an application from my council be entertained?"

INYERCARGHJ-, 15th August. The Southland Chamber of Commerce yesterday decided to urge the Railway Department when reinstating the full services to make the through express to. Christchurch the first reinstatement. In a telegram to the Hon.,F. Hawke, tho Minister of Railways says :—" It is hoped the position niay be still .further im^ proved in the not distant future if supplies of coal which are in sight are duly received by the- Department, and there are reasonably good prospects of regular supplies in the future."