FEWER HAY-BALES PER TRAIN TRUCK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22662, 12 June 1948, Page 6

FEWER HAY-BALES PER TRAIN TRUCK

(S.R.) WELLINGTON, June 11. Complications which have arisen owing to the shortage of baling wire, and the consequent greater bulk of hay baled with twine, have resulted in a review of the offer of a railage subsidy on hay imported into flood areas for the use of floodstricken farmers.

Whereas when wire was available for baling it was possible to load 140 bales of hay to the railway truck, the greater bulk of twine-baled hay has reduced the number of bales to 100 per truck.

This means that rail freights are increased by 40 per cent, and the Government has had to take this into consideration in connection with its iloodrclicf subsidy scheme. Refund of Railage Cost

The Minister of Agriculture. Mr. E. L. Cullen, announced today that the Government will refund to farmers in flood-stricken areas all railage costs above £1 per ton. This subsidy will be payable of course, only where the consignments affect actual sufferers from flood conditions. Previously it had been decided that refunds of railage charges would be made only for distances in excess of 100 miles. The refund will now apply to all rail-journeys, where the charges are in excess of £1 per ton. The effect will be that flood-stricken farmers will not pay more than £1 per ton railage on hay consignments for flood-relief purposes. Consignees should pay the full railage costs and then make application, through their local Department of Agriculture offices, for the appropriate refunds. Officers of the department will certify to the qualifications of consignees claiming refunds. Ilay From The North

Assistance was originally announced as being available on consignments railed to farmers at stations on lines betweer Waiouru and Linton, between Palmerston North and Featherston, and between Marton and Patea. and also to farmers in the Gisborne and Wairoa districts whose properties were damaged by floods. The areas have now been extended to include stations between Linton and Te Horo, and between Woodville and Waipukurau. The Minister said most of the hay would be drawn from the Auckland and Bay of Plenty areas and for supply purposes the co-operation of representatives of Federated Farmers in those areas had been promised. Officers of the department would be available to decide questions of hay quality.