EFFECT ON THE PUBLIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17456, 28 April 1920, Page 7

EFFECT ON THE PUBLIC.

SERIOUS INCONVENIENCE.

MILK AND MEAT SUPPLY,

TRAMWAYS AND LIGHT.

A CESSATION POSSIBLE.

J The effects of the railway strike upon the public will very speedily make themselves felt in several ways. Probably the first inconvenience will be realised this morning, when the supply of fresh meat may be seriously curtailed. The supply from the city abattoirs usually comes into the Mount Eden station by a tram leaving the abattoirs at 5 a.m. This •Irain will not run while the strike continues, and the butchers will therefore be under the necessity of sending motor and other vehicles out to the abattoirs for their supplies, and this is bound to cause some delay. Those butchers who are in the habit of bringing their meat in from the other abattoirs by motor waggons, will not, of course, be put to the same trouble. I

Much of the milk for the city is received by train from Papakura, Mannrewa and Papatoetoe. These supplier will be affected.

Two important public services which are imperilled are the tramways and the electrical power supply, which involves lighting. The Mayor stated last evening that the cessation of coal supplies from Hnntly as the result of the railway strike would mean the complete stoppage of both services very soon. Supplies of coal at the electric station and the tramways power house were exceedingly short, and would only last for a few days.

The Major remarked that the question of the maintenance of the railway services and the men's demands were for the Government to deal with. The position was so critical, however, that it anpeared to him it should be at once dealt with. Everybody knew that, at this time, substantial concessions must be made to workers, and he raid he felt sure that the public would insist up to a reasonable point- that concessions should bo made to the railwaymen. Suburban Train Services. A considerable number of workers and city folk who are accustomed" to come in to work and business in the mornings by train from the suburbs will be forced to find other means of transport. This will undoubtedly cause a great rush on the tramway services in the districts affected. People living in localities not served by the trams, however, will be in a worse pjight yet, and many will have to walk long distances to the nearest point at which the trams pass.

There are still many visitors in the city from country districts who came in for the festivities in connection with the Prince of Wales' visit. These, too, will be forced to remain here unless they can arrange for other means of conveyance back to their homes. Long-distance travelling will, of course, become impracticable for ail except the few who are able to afford motor-car transit.

The strike will have a serious effect on the attendances at the Grammar Schools and the Technical College, as a large number of the pupils attending these schools, who reside in country districts, travel to and fro daily by train. ; The strikc,.,may..not hose any serious immediate effeot, so far as the meat industry in the Auckland district is concerned. At present there are no shipments in sight for some weeks to come. A great deal of the stock sent to the works is conveyed by rail, but of course, it will be possible to send it by road to a considerable extent.

Building Trade Affected. .The building trade would suffer considerably by a protracted railway strike. Bricks are procured from New Lynn and brought in by train, and the cessation of the services will at once reduce supplies to such an extent that the effect will be serious. It would not pay to send for the bricks by waggon, and consequently operations in many contracts may have to be suspended. Timber -for building purposes is brought in almost entirely by train from the King Country and other districts, the supplies in the mills depending on that means. The timber in stock at the city mills '\ould not suffice for the needs of the trade for any length of time, so that the outlook is by no means reassuring. Even, if the strike were not to spread to other workers, it would, if continued for long, have the effect of throwing many out of work for want of materia, and coal to maintain certain industries. As regards coal there is a strong probability that in the absence of railway trucks for its transport from Huntly, the mines there may nave to close down within a few davs.