FARMERS’ RAILWAY TRIP.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18259, 8 May 1929, Page 6

FARMERS’ RAILWAY TRIP.

To *,he Editor of the ‘‘Timaru Herald.” Sir, —Having applied for a seat for the excursion to the North Island, I am notified that all seats are taken up. Could you tell me through the medium of your paper if well-to-do retired farmers have been included, shutting out bona fide farmers who cannot afford an expensive trip. If so, the trip is not what it is advertised to be. —I am, etc., DISAPPOINTED. [lnquiries made yesterday elicited the information that it was not possible for the Railway Department to give preference to any farmer who made application to make the trip. It was known that a number of retired farmers, who were not members of any of the South Canterbury branches of the Farmers’ Union, had put in their applications, and while the Union would have preferred that members only should partake of the hospitality of farmers in the districts to be visited in the North Island, no restriction had been placed on the applications, nor had the Railway Department at any period given preference to wealthy farmers. It was a case of first come first served.—Ed. of the “Timaru Herald."]