"LAST HAND-SHAKE DANGEROUS"

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 8

"LAST HAND-SHAKE DANGEROUS"

ACCIDENTS LIABLE TO OCCUR FINAL ENTRAINMENT OF TROOPS CLOSING OF STATION PLATFORMS CONSIDERED Facilities for granting next-of-kin tickets to those desiring to farewell soldiers at railway stations and on final departure were the subject of a letter from tho New Zealand headquarters tabled at the Dunedin R.S.A. meeting last night. It was stated that this matter had caused some concern. “ While we arc anxious to give every facility that is possible, the risk of fatal * accident duo to overcrowding must be guarded against,” the letter stated. “At a recent entrainment at Wellington on the occasion of the personnel of the first echelon returning from final leave, an accident which would undoubtedly have proved fatal was averted only by the timely action of a railway porter who was standing nearby. The last hand-shake through the train window is very dangerous, and on a crowded platform accidents are sure to occur. “ For these reasons we have under consideration the closing of station platforms entirely on the occasion of_ the departure of troop trains. If this is done leave-taking will have to take place in the main halls of stations. At Auckland and Wellington this appears to be the most suitable solution, but at Christchurch and minor stations the difficulty is admitted. You may rest assured, however, that the matter will be given careful consideration, and that whatever decision is come to will be in the best interests of both the soldiers themselves and their next-of-kin.” Tho letter was received.