SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3764, 30 September 1940, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS

MANURE FOR FARMERS DISCUSSION IN CAMBRIDGE A suggestion from the Cambridge Increased Production Committee that the shortage of railway trucks could be overcome if farmers were notified from the station immediately goods arrived, is likely to prove effective. A letter explaining the situation was sent to the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who replied that the Railway Department appreciated the necessity for having wagons discharged expeditiously. The Minister stated that should any difficulty be experienced in making contact with consignees, the railway staff was authorised to make use of toll calls or the telegraph for the purpose. The chairman, Mr W. N. Perry, stated that he had never yet been rung up and told that goods were waiting for him, unless they had been at the station a week. He knew that was done with goods arriving at Cambridge, but not at the flag stations. Manure usually arrived early in the morning and the consignees did not receive their advice till later in the day. Mr W. Sands stated that he had communicated with the stationmaster, who had agreed to co-oper-ate and ring farmers immediately goods arrived.

It was mentioned that there was great difficulty in placing orders for super for delivery in the autumn. The works were booked right out and it was necessary to take delivery in November or else wait till May. The secretary, Mr R. S. Entwistle, was.requested to investigate the' position from the manufacturers.' '■■ T''\ ' '■' The Sack Position An altered system of charging for manure sacks was criticised By the meeting. Mr Perry stated it was not generally known that orders for superphosphate were booked up at £3 9/6 a ton, plus 13/6 a ton for the bags. If returned in good order within 60 days, an allowance of 8/6 was made on the sacks. However, the sacks did not go back to the manure works, but to certain sack merchants. K really meant that the price had been increased by 2/6 a ton.

Mr Perry said that it would be necessary for farmers to refuse delivery of manure which arrived in broken bags. Another way was for farmers to supply their own sacks which would be filled at 2/6 a ton.