CARRIAGE OF LIME

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 6

CARRIAGE OF LIME

OBJECTION MADE TO CHARGE ! ACCOUNTS TO FARMERS AT END OF SEASON Strong opposition to a charge fol the railage of lime, particularly at the end bf the season, without proper notice was expressed by one or two members of the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union at the monthly meeting yesterday. Farmers in his district, said Mr W. B. Hopcroft, had been asked how they sent their lambs to the works. When they had admitted that they had used road transport, they- had been charged for the cartage of lime. He moved that a strong protest should be made. Mr W Co user said that three years ago the farmers in his district had been canvassed by officers of the Railways Department. They had been told clearly that if they did not use the railways for the transport of their stock, they would be expected to nay for the carriage of their lime. “We had the same experience in our district,” said Mr D. H. O’Brien. Mr T. McMath: We should have a clear statement from the Railways Department of its policy in this respect. “A Piece of Bluff” Mr W. H Ward- Actually this is a piece of bluff by the Railways Department. The Department of Agriculture pays the subsidy for the carriage of lime, the idea of the scheme being to increase production. As a matter of fact, pt might pay farmers to pay for the carriage of his lime and send his. stock by road It is quicker and there is less risk of damage. Mr Hopcroft: It pays to send lambs by lorry, but not much else. Why has the denartment picked on them? Mr J. J. Crampton: While the Ministry of Transport is issuing licences to road transport concerns the Minister of Railways is cramping their activities. Let the two Ministers fight this out between themselves. , . It was suggested by Mr D. Dickie that a deputation should call on the traffic manager at Invercargill . A definite opinion could then be obtained and the whole position explained. In his experience, no objection had been offered to road transnort . if railage I would be a considerable disadvantage to the farmer, he said. The secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) was demited to arrange a deputation as Mr Dickie suggested. i ,