THE HON J. A. MILLAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15606, 3 May 1911, Page 11

THE HON J. A. MILLAR.

A VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH. MANY DEPUTATIONS. Tho Hon J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways, arrived in Christchurch yesterday morning, and spent a busy day receiving deputations and attending to departmental affairs. To-day he will leave for the south by the first express. He will stop for a short time to receive a deputation at Ashburton. At Temuka Mr T. Buxton, M.P., Mayor, and members of the Borough Council will wait upon him in regard to the dangerous railway crossings in tho borough. He will also stop at Timaru, where lie will deal with questions connected with the harbour. From Timaru he will go by the second express to Dunedin, where he will spend several days, and in that city, probably on Monday evening, he will deliver an address, in which he will disclose the financial results for the past year. THE FRUIT INDUSTRY. GROWERS HANDICAPPED IN CHRISTCHURCH.

A large deputation of fruitgrowers discussed the question of freight on umber for fruit-boxes. Mr G. Witty, M.P., introduced the deputation, and Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., Mr G. W. Russell. M.P., and Mr G. Laurenson, M.P., were also present. Mr Wittv said that if the extra duty imposed on timber obtained within a certain distance was retained, the growers fn Canterbury would be seriously penalised. Mr F. Sisson, chairman of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association, said that tho growers in Canterbury were certainly being penalised. The North Island, growers could get their wood free, while the Canterbury growers, because they were far away from bush, had to pay in freight almost tho price of the timber at the mill. It was impossible to put the extra freight on t-o tho consumer. It would mean that other districts would have a distinct advantage over Canterbury. The regulation was discouraging people from leaving the towns and going on to the soil, and it would be found that fruitgrowing in Canterbury would languish.

Mr Russell said that the large deputation indicated how wide the demand was. It was the object of the reduction of freights some years ago to allow good, wholesome, fresh fruit to be suppliod to tho people of tho dominion. The industry was still in its infancy, and should bo encouraged. Tins growers in Canterbury wished to obtain dean boxes, locally made, which would not be likely to help the spread of the codlin moth and other pests. It was impossible to make a cast-iron rule for the whole of New Zealand unless the Government wished to squelch the fruit industry in Canterbury. Mr L. B. Hubbard said that until the Midland line was open there was no l’.ope of getting timber from any place nearer than Southland.

Mr T. York said that tho growers were all hard-working people, nnd ho believed that they grew some of the best fruit in New Zealand. It would be a big thing if they had to pay tho extra freight. The timber should be brought from the nearest bush-district, as nearly free as possible. Other membors of the deputation said that the growers had a very hard row to hoe. If the extra charge was made it would be a severe imposition. The Minister said that he was pleased to meet the deputation. Tho Government’s policy was to encourage the industry. The Hawke’s Bav Association demanded as a right that trucks should be sent when they were wanted right up to Rotorua to take shoots free, and the Government decided that the public should not have that. _ Growers in Canterbury could get timber at the Cass or from Grey mouth by water carriage. He did not believe in the railways doing anything free, and if fruit boxes went free, potato-growers would want their bags to go free, and so on. There would be no end to it. Where would the railway revenue come from? The public cried out from end to end of the country that the railways did not pay. He was asked to increase wages all round, and at the same time to reduce freights. It could not be done. He would look into the question and seo what he could do. He was anxious to meet the requirements, but he could not run the railways on philanthropic lines. He might make a nominal rate, or a special rate, and take shoots out of class D. He would do something, but would not go back to indiscriminate free carriage. He could make a nominal rate of freight to the nearest bush district. _ In reply to further remarks, he said that in Central Otago growers were making £6OO a year from ten acr?s. Mr York: Look at the price of landI paid £2OO an aero for my land. * The Minister said again that lie ■would) look into the question and would do what he could.

COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENT. Messrs G. R. Whiting, H. Hunter, F. Meyor and J. Young, who woro introduced by Mr Russell, asked that something should he done for Mr Wainscott, secretary of the Christchurch Tailoresses’ Union, who was injured in the railway accident at Paikakariki, when a bouldor fell into a carriage and killed a lady. Mr Ell and Mr Taylor were also present, and Mr Russell, Mr Taylor, Mr Hunter and Mr Ell strongly supported the request that the Department should moot the expenses to which My Wainscott had been put. Mr Ell said that Mr Wainscott had suffered physically and also in loss of employment. The Minister suggested that Mr Wainscott should forward a statement of his expenses. He had two other casos connected with the accident to consider when he returned to Wellington, and would deal with them all together. HOLIDAY FOR DRIVERS.

Mr Hunter, as secretary of the Drivers’ Union, said that certain drivers, notably carriers, did not have the halfholiday, owing to shops closing on one day and warehouses on another day. Their only time at home was a few hours on Sundays. He asked if something could bo done to give them a holiday. The Minister said that the trouble was to find an Act to bring the men under. They could not come undor the Shops and Offices or the Factories Acts, but ho thought that they might bo dealt with under the Arbitration Act, or a special clause might be placed in the Shops and Offices Act, He would try to have the question settled next session. HALF-HOLIDAY AT LOCAL ELECTIONS. Mr Taylor said that the same deputation wished that there should be a compulsory halt-holiday on days of local elections as well as on daysi of general elections.

Mr Whiting strongly supported the request. He said that at tho recent election in Christchurch there were 100 voters at one booth at a quarter to seven, 200 at another booth at 0.30, and a largo number camo away from yet another booth without, being able to vote. The position was brought about by the fact that working men could not vote early in the day. He suggested that local elections and Parliamentary elections should bo held on the same day. The sum that a candidate could pon^d

on local elections should be limited in the same way as at Parliamentary ©lections. Mr Ell said that fortunately the recent Christchurch elections were hold in good weather, but if there had been nad weather it was possible that the results would have been different, on account of the number of vehicles some candidates used. The law in regard to bribery and corruption at Parliamentary elections should apply to local elections. In the towns the hour for closing the booths should bo eight o’clock instead of seven. Mr Russell said that ho hardly thought that the half-holiday should apply to every Road Board and County Council election. He favoured Mr Ell’s proposal to extend the time for voting. , ~ Tho Minister said that ho would place one request before his colleagues. It was a healthy sign to see so much interest taken in the local elections. He would like to see a. three years’ tenure of membership of local bodies, including Mayors. But if all elections were held on one day there would he far too much confusion. There was quite sufficient to do at present at the general elections, with the two- issues placed before tho people. Mr Ell’s suggestion in regard to extending the hours for polling in boroughs could be easily carried out. He would bring the whole subject of giving better facilities in that direction before his colleagues.

FACILITIES ON THE RAILWAYS. Mesdames Scrimshaw, Watson and Manhire, residents of Islington and other districts on tho railway line near Christchurch, were introduced by Mr Witty, who- said that the deputation wished to have better arrangements to take people from the country to work in the city. At present they could not got into Christchurch until a quarter to ten, which was too late. Many more pcoplo would live in the country if better facilities were offered. Mrs Scrimshaw said that the distance to Islington was about eight miles, and it was too far for girls to bicycle. Many more people would live at Islington if there was a better railway servico. Thero were large numbers of people who were waiting for the improvements to be brought about, so that tho early trains would be largely used. The first train from Islington to the city left at 9.20 a.m., and the last train out to Islington was about 4 p.m. It should not leave before 6.15 to meet the convenience of the people.

Tho Minister said that inquiries would be made in regard to the estimated traffic. The Government was anxious to meet the public, but it could not run trains empty. He might possibly put on a train and give it a three months’ trial. If it was a success, it would probably be continued. He pointed out that if the extra traffic was mostly school children they would not pay, as they travelled free. He would obtain a report from his officers. FENDALTON’S NEEDS.

Mr R. O, Duncan and Mr F. M. Warren waited on the Minister in regard to improving the Fendalton crossing.

Mr Duncan said that tho tram terminus was at tho crossing, and at a quar.tor to nine in tho morning' large numbers of school children went to the trams, just when a train was passing. There had been narrow escapes from pooplo in carts and traps. Ho spoko feelingly, as his own wife had had two nar row escapes from death at tho crossing. Air Warren said that there had been a remarkable expansion of population, and it was necessary that a crossingkeeper should bo appointed. The Minister visited the crossing in tho afternoon, and announced that he would discuss the subject with his officers in Wellington. At the same time, accompanied by Air Witty, ho visited tho Riccarton station, and stated that he would obtain a report on the traffic there before deciding whether he would give more accommodation for the public. PAYMENTS FOR ACCIDENT. Mr Laurenson introduced Air W. Daniels, president of the Casual Railway Labourers’ Union, Air Clarkson, secretary, and Mr Cain, a member of tho committeo. They urged that accident pay should be paid more promptly, and gave several instances showing tho necessity that something should bo dono. Air Ell also' attended and supported tho request. The Alinister said that he recognised the necessity for prompt payment, and would inquire into the matter'when he returned to Wellington. Ho sent a telegram to the General Alanager of tho railways, giving tho names oi men who had recently met with accident, but who had not receiver! compensation.

The- deputation also urged that accident pay should be given for injuries causing incapacity tor less than one week.

Air Alillar said that ho fully sympathised with the request. About a year ago ho had introduced a clause which provided that in addition to accident pay there, should bo £lO for medical advico, but he had to abandon that as well as to modify his proposals in regard to compensation for less than a week’s incapacity, as it was shown that if tho latter proposal were put into effect it alone would increaso tho insurance premiums 210 per cent. In these circumstances, and in view of the dislocation that would bo caused to industries, ho had been reluctantly compelled to abandon tho scheme, for tho present at any rate. It would have wrecked a number of small industries, and would have injured the workers. RAILWAY ACCOMAIODATION. Air Witty, on behalf of Air R. H. Rhodes. AI.P., introduced a deputation which a-sked that better stock accommodation should be given at til© Ladbrooks Station, and that a surfaceman should be, placed there, with some control over tho shed, from which, it was stated, goods wero constantly disappearing. The Alinister said that the appointment would he made if it could be dono without disarranging the linesmen. As to stockyards, he asked that he should be informed of the quantity of stock likely ro he sent to the station. If that were dono, the request would receive favourable consideration. HAIRDRESSERS’ SALOONS. Alessvs L. L. V. Brian and R. Hoppy, introduced by Air Taylor, J

asked the Minister to define the law in 5 regard to an additional half-hour allowed the hairdressing saloons every day, if customers are in a saloon before the hours of closing. Mr Brian and Mr floppy placed the position before the Minister, who agreed with them that as long as customers were in a. saloon at the ordinary time of closing it coukl be kept open for an extra half-hour to deal with those customers.