BOBBY CALF TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 15, 17 July 1937, Page 6

BOBBY CALF TRADE

CARRIERS CONCERNED

INCREASED COSTS

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day,

Because they are facing increased costs, carriers praticipating in the collection of bobby calves in the Maiiawatu this season are asking for additional remuneration for their services. Whether they will get it, however, will depend on the verdict of the transport licensing authorities, who, are looking into the matter to see if the increase is justified. In Palmerston North yesterday Mr.' P. O. Skoglund, No. 2 Licensing Authority, discussed the problem with representatives 01 the operators and exporting firms , who came from as far afield as Taranaki, Wanganui, and the Wairarapa. Mr. Skoglund intimated that after he had heard the representatives he would proceed to Auckland and consult with Mr. E. J. Phelan, who was conducting a similar inquiry in that province. Illuminating figures were presented by the carriers. In one case a lorry covered 105 miles to pick up twentyfour calves, and in another case a lorry had gone fifty miles for one calf. It was also pointed out that, contrary to anticipation, the competition of the various exporting firms resulted in an increase in costs, brought about by several lorries operating over the one route. There was a further evil, <n that the drivers were put in the position of conducting minor auctions with the farmers at their gates on the question of prices to be paid for calves, each firm's driver trying to better the efforts of his competitor in order to get a load. Representations were made for a payment of Is 6d per calf for cartage. ... 'There was an informal discussion on the need for some State action to overcome the evil of overlapping of the lorries, the conference agreeing more or less with the opinion of the chairman that the difficulty could be overcome by the producers themselves under a guaranteed price scheme by the freezing works. The various dairy companies' should get together, and then only two or three lorries would be needed.