CARTAGE OF SHEEP

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 121, 20 April 1940, Page 9

CARTAGE OF SHEEP

MASTERTON TO FEILDING. USE OE HOAD SERVICES. MASTERTON, April 19. An application by a liuniber of Mastorton goods service operators for tlie right to carry store lambs and sheep to Feilding and stud sheep to Wellington ivas heard by tile No. 2 Licensing Authority, Mr J. P. 0. Skoglund, in Masterton yesterday afternoon. Alter hearing evidence in support of the applications by Messrs A. M. Henderson, L. 'i'. Daniell and J. L. Heckler. Mr Skogluiul reserved his decision. Mr Henderson, manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Ltd., in Masterton, said road transport of stud stock had advantages over rail carriage. By. rail there was always a period of starvation between yarding and train departure, sometimes amounting to 24 hours, and deterioration inevitably resulted. The practice of sending store sheep to Feilding in preference to selling at considerably lower prices in Masterton and Eketalmna was growing every year, and the present restriction of carriage to rail transport was a handicap to this trade. Messrs Heckler and Daniell gave corroborative evidence. “There are 60 to 70 million pounds invested in railways in New Zealand.’’ said Mr Skoglund. “The evidence T have heard to-day seems to ask for those railways to be scrapped.” Mr Daniell: It is the rottenest railwav service in the world.

Mr Skoglund: If these privileges were granted here they would have to he granted in other parts of New Zealand. In all the argument T have heard to-dav nothing has been said concerning petrol conservation. In time of war it is up to everyone to make sacrifice; whether he l>e producer, carrier, or wage-earner. From what 1 have heard, the railway service in this district is unsatisfactory; however, the carting of store sheep to Feilding can still he done hv rail. I feel lliere is a good deal of “stock dealer” in 11 1 is. and not “farmer.” I will give the ease more, consideration.