TRAIN TRAVEL BAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24826, 24 February 1944, Page 4

TRAIN TRAVEL BAN

NO RELIEF AT EASTER COAL POSITION WORSE (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday It would not be possible in view of the coal position to lift on railway travel for the Easter holidays, said the Minister of Railways, the Hon. R". Semple, to-day. The inquiries already made by the public showed that people were very eager to travel extensively during the coming holiday period, but the coal position demanded a continuance of the restrictions. The Railway Department had made every possible' effort not only to use coal'to the best advantage, but also to build up stocks, Mr. Semple continued. It had not been possible to make any progress. In fact the consumption of coal over the system throughout the Dominion for the past week exceeded the supply into depots by 8-59 tons, notwithstanding the present restrictions on goods and passenger traffic.

STILL MORE DISPUTES DAY LOST AT LINTON (P.A.) INVERCARGILL. Wednesday The Linton mine was idle again to-day as the result of a dispute between the miners and truckers. A stopwork meeting was held at 6ight o'clock this morning and lasted until 11.30, when the employees returned to their homes. It is understood that the miners complained that they could not get sufficient boxes because the truckers knocked off too early. This makes the fourth complete day lost since the mine resumed operations on January 10. and it means a further loss in output of coal of 450 tons. The total loss in output since January 10 has been put down at 1800 tons. MERCHANT SEAMEN

TRAVEL PRIVILEGES' URGED (S.R.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday

i A request that the Minister of Railways, the Hon. R. Semple, authorise his department to "extend to members of the British merchant navy travelling privilege' similar to those enjoyed by other branches of the armed forces, was contained in a question, notice of which was given by Mr. _A. S. Sutherland (Opposition—Hauraki"! in the House of Representatives to-dav. "These men," said Mr. Sutherland in a note to his question, "are exposed to ereat danger on the high seas. In Imgland men of the merchant navy receive four free rail warrants a year and in addition they are also allowed cheap travel rates arranged through the Seamen's Union. If these privileges could be granted in New Zealand it would be highly appreciated." LOCAL AND GENERAL Warm Weather Brilliant sunshine was experienced in Auckland yesterday after the previous wet days. Humidity was still oppressive and there was little wind. The maximum temperature of 79 degrees was unusually high for this time of the year. "*■ Publicity lor Servicemen "It has been said that too much publicity has been given to New Zealand servicemen," said Major-GeneraS P. H. Bell, C.8., D.5.0., officer commanding the Northern Military District, when speaking at yesterday's civic welcome to the furlough draft and other returned servicemen. "You, as veterans, will be the first to admit that there are other divisions and formations for which no praise can be too high, but, be that as it may, you are our own soldiers, our own sailors and our own airmen, and to you as our own we give you this welcome home."

i Hospital Waitress' Wages The statement that her wages would j be £2 os 3d net a week was made when a waitress appealed before the Auckland Manpower (Industrial) Committee yesterday against her direction to the Auckland Hospital Board as a waitress at the doctors' residence in Park Road. Appellant said she would have to live out, and if she could obtain a room to rent it would cost at least £1 os a week. She could not live on the wages unless..accommodation were provided on the premises. "I would not like to live on those wages," said a member of the committee, Mr. K» M. Simpson. The appeal was allowed. Suburban Hose Ban Lifted A prohibition on the use of hoses and sprinklers has been removed in the borough of Onelr.inga and the three other "local districts which it supplies with water, namely, EUerslte, Mount Roskill and Mangere The ban was imposed on January 18 because of a heavy dry-weather demand from market gardens and the inadequacy of the pumping plant. The recent rains have brought the probable consumption within the plant's capacity and; no further trouble- is expected this summer. The Onehunga Borough Council has had two additional pumps on order for more than a year. Parts of them have arrived from overseas, but the whereabouts of the remainder is unknown at present. Soldiers of the Sea Special reference to the _ .Maritime Regiment of the Royal Artillery was made yesterday by the officer commanding the Northern Military District, Major-General P. H. Bell. C.8., D.fe.O., when speaking at the city's reception to members of the second furlough draft and other servicemen who_ have returned from overseas. A section or the regiment took part in the parade, and General - Bell said he hoped that thev would enjoy their visit to New Zealand. These soldiers belong to a special formation of the Royal Artillery, that was established and trained to help man the defensive guns on merchant ships The service which they have given since the »var started is still one of the untold but most .noteworthy stories of the war.