PATRIOTIC RAILWAYMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19676, 30 June 1927, Page 8

PATRIOTIC RAILWAYMEN

ASSISTING THE SERVICE. GOODS NOT SENT BY RAIL. PATRONAGE GIVEN ELSEWHERE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 i.HAMES, Wednesday. During his search for new business for the railways in South Auckland teintoiy Mr. A. W. Wellsted, business agent, recently found a community where railwaymen had applied the proverb "Charity begins at home" in practical form. On learning that local storekeepers were not patronising the railway for the carriage of goods in spite of a reduced rate they quietly severed their patronage from all local stores and arranged for a continuous supply of goods, including groceries, from Auckland, stipulating that all such goods must be sent by rail. The storekeepers are reported to be making overtures for the resumption of the lost patronage, which was worth about £3OO a month.

APPEAL TO BUSINESS MEN. A PROMISE OF SUPPORT. i~ _ , [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT, j THAMES. Wednesday. The railway business manager, Mr. A. W. Wellsted, last night addressed a meeting of Thames business men in connection with the department's campaign for incr eased goods traffic. Mr. Wellsted first of all pointed out that on August 31. 1925, the rate for merchandise on the Auckland-Thames line had been reduced from 35s a ton to 25s a ton. When this reduction was riiade it was thought that the result would be a considerable increase in the quantity of goods handled by the railways. The expectation of the department in this connection had however not been realised, and it had become a matter for serious consideration as to whether the special rate should remain in force. If the reduction was lifted, owing to lack of support, ordinary freight charges would then be enforced on goods railed from Auckland to lhanies. At the conclusion of Mr. Wellsted's address, a round-table discussion followed, during the course of which it was stressed that goods carried by rail were charged bv -weight and not by measurement and were available for prompt delivery from (lie truck or shed, which was a factor in reducing the cost of cartage. As a result of the discussion one of those present stated that he recognised the important issues involved and the justice of the department 's contention?? He. announced that he would give the railways a fair trial for the transport of all his goods. The meeting terminated with promises by those present that they would accord the department a fair measure ol support.