ROLLING STOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22951, 1 February 1938, Page 16

ROLLING STOCK

COMPLAINT OF SHORTAGE DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS SUM OF £1,300,000 VOTED [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday A request that more rolling stock be provided to meet tho growing needs of the export stock trade was made to the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in Hamilton to-day. The principal speaker was Mr. H. W. Wilson, chairman of the Raglan County Council, who referred particularly to tho carriage of fat lambs. Ho said they were a perishable commodity whose values fluctuated. It was absolutely essential to the industry that they should be transported to the freezing works with the least possible delay. Owing to the shortage of rolling stock, delays had occurred.

Mr. Wilson also asked that tho penalty imposed on stock not carried to the freezing works by rail be removed, for in many cases, as in tho Raglan area, for instance, there was no railway available to carry the animals. The Minister said the Government recognised the position regarding tho shortage of rolling stock, and was doing its best to remedy it. During the depression years the rolling stock had become depleted. Over £1,300,000 had been voted to replenish supplies, and the workshops were busily employed in this direction. But for delay that had occurred in obtaining material from overseas, the position would have been much better than it was at tho present time.

Referring to tho second point referred to by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sullivan said tho matter of the rebate allowed on livestock handled by the railway would be examined. The department did not want any injustice, but there was a good deal to be said for the general policy of the department in encouraging those who supported the railway.