ROADS V. RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 14

ROADS V. RAILWAYS.

Sir,—l would like to inform Mr. Yaile that I have read all the evidence. Mr. Munro gave support as far as Reporoa; (tie rest he did not. Now, just fancy Mr. Vaile, building a short stretch of railway, 27 miles at tho most. Goods (such as offer) aro carted to-day by motor-lorry to Rcporoa at 20s and oven less per ton. Tho trade offering would not pay for axle grease on the goods waggons. Mr. Vaile hints that I lack knowledge re Taupo, but my qualifications are about the same as Mr. Vaile's. Tiaki Hooru.

Sir, —I have just come in from talking to a " brother farmer " of an adjoining district who has returned from Auckland with a load of manure. He took a load of calves and pigs in his lorry (which he owns) to Westfield, and brought two tons of fertiliser back. Ho has still eight miles to go home, and will have done a total of 124 miles, and the freight charges of the loads for both ways amounts to a little over seven gallons of Atlantic petrol. And that is just it. Each year sees additional farmers purchasing motortrucks and doing their own freight work, and, perhaps, some for their neighbours. We have four trucks in our district now, and the writer will probably provide the fifth shortly. This is happening everywhere. Where is it going to end ? What will the position be in 10 to 20 years? Is it fair to build railways to provide cheap haulage for a handful of struggling farmers'! It would be cheaper to pay tho few Mr. Vaile has in mind a pension out of the taxes than add to the annual deficit for their benefit. Farmer. Waiuku, July 8, 1929.