Poultry Fanners Indignant

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 183, 5 August 1938, Page 7

Poultry Fanners Indignant

NO FREE RAILAGE FOR BIRDS TO HAWKE’S BAY Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Poultry-farmers throughout the Dominion are stated to bo indignant because of the attitude of tho Railway* Department in refusing to grant free railage on live poultry lorwarded to the Hawke’s Bay districts to replenish the losses suffered by breeders and others whose flocks were entirely or partially destroyed by tho serious flooding last April. The poultry fanners of Hawke’s Bay were heavy losers but instead of appealing to the Government for assistance tbe industry decided to make good the losses by contributions of birds from poultry farmers in other parts of the Dominion. Tho position was investigated by the New Zealand Poultry Board and breeders unanimously decided to assist the Hawke’s Bay farmers. An appeal launched throughout New Zealand received a ready response and the full requirements of Hawke’* Bay totalling hundreds of birds were promised. Tho next step was to mako arrangements for tbe fo-wls to be railed to the area* concerned, but when application for freo railage was made to tho Government through the Railways Department, the request was refused. In many cases the promised birds aro young chicken* and it is understood the refusal of the Railways Department to grant free railage has caused a considerable amount of indignation among breeders not because of tho cost of railage but because of the principle involved. Poultry-keepers have stated that the cost of railing the birds to Hawke's Bay is infinitesimal compared with the value of the birds and in all would nof amount to more than a few pounds.