THE RAILWAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12687, 8 July 1919, Page 6

THE RAILWAYS.

THE NEW TIMETABLE. WORKING SMOOTHLY. Mr P. Grant, traffic clerk, stated today that the new railway timetable was working smoothly. Although soma men employed by the hour had lost time in the goods sheds, there was much work still at Lyttelton, and the restrictions had not been as severe on casual hands as was expected. No permanent hands had been put off. As far as that class of employees was concerned, indeed, the changes had been convenient to the Department, as they gave it an opportunity to wipe off a fairly large accumulation of leaveMr Grant added that the travelling public seemed to be reconciling itself to the changes. The trains were well patronised, and traffic was brisk. As to goods the Department was carrying all essentials. It was taking food stuffs, fuel, live stock, and all agricultural fend pastoral requirements, and, he believed, would continue to do so. An opinion is expressed by Mr Grant that the public even now does not recognise how serious the position is, and how necessary it is to nave restricted Eorvcos.

No information is available as to when the former timetable will be resumed.

HAMILTON INDIGNANT. . i [Per Press Association.] HAMILTON, July 8. The. dairy industry is suffering through the restrictions on traffic in materials needed for extensions and repairs. Numerous factories are held up, and at is likely to seriously disorganise next season’s business. The companies have, at the suggestion of Mr Young, M.P.j offered to lend the Department sufficient coal for their urgent requirements. Mr Young- wired the Minister of Railways, urging that an effort be made to carry essentials, and stating: “ Presumably the coal position in the Auckland section has improved during the past forty-eight hours, as is evidenced by the fact that, a' consignee in Hamilton received on Friday five tons of beer, which one can hardly credit the, Department, authorised to be scheduled as absolutely essential unless the coal stocks have improved. Are you ,or Cabinet powerless to insist upon urgently required home and building materials, boots, leather, clothing, blankets and dairy factory requirements being classed equally essential to the well-being-of the community as beerp A few’ more clays of the present policy and unemployment will be widespread.”

Mr Young also wired to the actiugPrime Minister, urging Cabinet to devise means to assist the Department to meet urgent transport for dairy cows. The fact that a Hamilton consignee received five tons of beer on Friday is incensing the 1 public, and early action by Cabinet is imperative.