"FREBZIED FINANCE."

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1912, Page 6

"FREBZIED FINANCE."

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

SARCASTIC

(Per Pr-sss Association)

TIMARU, May 13,

The Minister of Railways met the members of the Harbour Board today and listened to complaints of the shortage of trucks and of the shunting power on the wharves especially, and also the insufficiency of shed and yard accommodation.

Mr J. Craigie, M.P., alluded to the inconvenience of the road to the goods shed, crossing, shunting, and trainstarting yard. It was pointed out that rhe accommodation provided eight years affo had become inadequate as the traffic had doubled in that tfme. The lack of shunting power means loss to the shippers through the slow work and overtime pay to the men. Sometimes they have to leave the holds to move truckd on the wharf.

The Miin.'ster s..id tha; after visits Christchurch .and Timaru he saw that the truck buil.diaigr. programme must be revised. Me intended to put an end to that complaint arid would probably have trucks built outside the Department. He suggested that the Harbour Board follow Auckland and Wellington and provivde facilities for working rhe wharves. He said he would consult his. responsible advisers on the whole of the matters submitted so as to provide the facilities asked for everywhere within reason. -These were necessary for the development of the country's resources, :but it would mean borrowing, and he hoped those who asked for them would not accuse- -the Government of "frenzied finance" if ir borrowed to meet their requirements.