RAILWAY ROLLING-STOCK.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 56, 27 October 1911, Page 4

RAILWAY ROLLING-STOCK.

WHAT THE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS SAYS.

The Dominion secretary of the Farmers’ Union (Mr E. C. jack) has received the following reply from the Minister for Railways relative to the resolutim passed at the Dominion Con: .ce asking that more trucks be supplied to cope with the grain and livestock traffic: — “ With reference to the resolutions that were passed by the Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union urging that additional rolling scocic should be provided for the conveyance of goods and live stock, 1 have the honour to inform you that the Department annually increases the number of waggons to meet the growing traffic, but it must be recognised that it caniuot undertake to provide sufficient rolling-stock to meet the greatest possioie demand at any one par; ticuiar moment. Railway traffic is, in the nature of things, liable to considerable fluctuation, and if the Department were required to keep sufficient rolling-stock to meet tue greatest possible demand a very consideraDle expenditure wouid be involved in the provision of rolling-stock which, for the greater part of the year, would be lying idle and depreciating. This applies particularly to sneep and cattle waggons, tor which the demand is very severe for a few months ot the year. I would point out, however, that from April Ist, 1909 to September l6th 191.1, the number of sheep and cattle waggons was increased by 207, and there are at present 112 new waggons on order. In regard to merchandise wagons, during the former period mz wagons, of which bo were wagons of 20 to 25 tons capacity, were added to the rolling-stock, and at the present time mere are 1373 wagons on order. In addition to this, it is anticipated that the new system by which goods traffic to the smaller stations is restricted to certain days in the week wili enable the Department to get at ieast 30 per cent, more out of the existing rolling-stock than was hitherto possioie. in the circumstances, I am of opinion that your union will recognise that the Department is doing all that it possibly can wiih die funds available to meet the growing requirements of the traffic.”