RAILAGE OF STOCK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21267, 23 February 1931, Page 5

RAILAGE OF STOCK.

FARMERS IN HAWKE’S BAY. A CONCESSION ASKED FOR. (Peb United Peess Association.) WELLINGTON, February 22. A deputation from the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board waited on the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) and the Minister of Railways (Mr VV. A. Veitch) on Friday afternoon in regard to the heavy additional cost which the farmers in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake area were being put to to rail fat stock to the freezing works in other districts, owing to the demolition of the Hawke’s Bay Freezing Works. Mr David Jones, M.P., chairman of the board, emphasised the desperate position which the farmers of Hawke’s Bay were in to-day. He read a telegram which the board had received on the subject from the freezing works manager in the Hawke’s Bay district, and pointed out that the freezing companies which were now killing stock were making every possible concession to meet the position. It was also pointed out that the Railways Department would obtain additional revenue owing to the circumstances which had arisen in railing fat stock for much longer distances than under normal circumstances. Mr Jones stated that at a meeting of the board that day the position had been carefully considered and the Meat Board was prepared to give £IOOO towards the cost of any concession if the Government would make a reduction of 25 per cent, on the railage rates on fat stock consigned to freezing works from stations north of Matamau (including the Wai-roa-Waikokopu section). Mr J. S. Jessep (Wairoa) a member of the board, also spoke from first hand experience of the serious position which exists in the district.

The Prime Minister said the Government was anxious to do what it could for the farmers in the stricken area, and he would go into the matter carefully with his colleague, the Minister of Hailwaja, ..