CARRIAGE OF NONESSENTIALS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 172, 7 July 1919, Page 2

CARRIAGE OF NONESSENTIALS.

ITO THK KDITOK-1 Sh-,—l see that the restrictions on the carriage of beer, wines and spirits', have been removed by the Railway Department, and it will be interesting to learn by what means this has been brought about, as the carriage, under present conditions, of these generally non-essentials must occupy the space of essentials. What pressure and influence has the Department surrendered to? it clearly reveals the fact that the powers that be, are unreliable m .. crisis to act strictly in accordance with the positive needs of the community. I take this opportunity- to suggest that, owing to the congestion of rolling stock requiring repairs, being held up through Government repair shops and employees being inadequate to overtake the necessary- repairs, private firms competent, to carry out the work required, be ask”d to tender, so that, when the railways are able to resume the normal traffic, rolling stock will be available witty reasonable prospects of meeting requirements. Doubtless owing to depleted stocks, the demand on the railways is certain to be very heavy. The shortage, stated to be 32 engines, and 1800 trucks, on tne Main Trunk line, has for a considerable time, been a severe handicap to industries and a heavy loss to the country.—Yours etc., CITIZEN. Hastings, 5/7/19.