RAIL FACILITIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 176, 25 June 1938, Page 8

RAIL FACILITIES.

FARMERS’ REQUEST. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 24. The serious effect on farmers of delay in the delivery of fertilisers owing to the lack of railway trucks and tarpaulins was complained of by the National Dairy Conference at New Plymouth to-day. Representations are to be 'made to the Government on the matter. The railway’s case was put by Mr 4- W. Wellstead (commercial manager), who .pointed to the huge increase in the quantity of fertilisers carried. The 1936 figure of 758,000 tons was an increase of 258 per cent on 1934. The heavy arrival of overseas shipments at the main ports also affected delivery by tying up trucks. Tile position was made worse by the fact that more than half the trade was concentrated oil the four autumn months. He claimed that the delay by farmers in unloading waggons was the cause of much of the trouble. The department was handicapped in building new waggons, but last year 500 were built at a cost of £170,000. This year it was proposed to build 1200. The department was prepared to spend money to keep the wheels of industry turning.' In regard to tarpaulins Mr Wellstead said a recent stocktaking showed that 4000 had disappeared. *