DELIVERY OF GOODS

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1784, 20 July 1926, Page 5

DELIVERY OF GOODS

DIRECT TO CONSIGNEE. RAILWAY BUSINESS AGENT IN ''- ; - • Afe arranged at ;Mr Welch's last visit here, he visited Te Awamutu again on 'Friday evening $q meet the master carriers. The - meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Mr A. Rowan being in the chair. 'Mr Welch, who is the Railway Department's business agent, was .accompanied, by Mr Robert Laurie (stationmaster) and Mr McKay (goods clerk) of the local railway station. <■

The chairman introduced the agent, who and, be gave a most interesting Review of the policy of the New Zealand Railway Department. At the outset Mr Welch said he regretted that there was not a more representative meeting, as many of the outside carriers had not put in an appearance. ,

Apologies for absencp were received from Messrs R. Simson, Farrell, and Jackson.

iMr Welch address'ed the meeting for half an hour and went into the policy laid down by the Department to increase its business, stating that the key to success in transportation waJs service, and that the Railway Department was out.after business, and was going to get' it'by providing the best service possible. Through charges, including, besides railages, cartage at each 'end, from consignor to consignee, would be' arranged, and in order to do this they must make such arrangements as would,be satisfactory and binding on all siub-contractls. If possible, such an arrangement would be entered into with the master carriers of Te Awamutu, provided the charges were such as to warrant the Department taking sujch action. They had already made arrangements at Whangarei. Hunterville, and other places, and Auckland had been under railway contract for. some considerable time. Mr Welch pointed out .that the Railway 'Department held the key to transport in country toWms, and if the Te Awamutu camera wanted, (the business they must fall.into'line. Every opportunity would be given to local carriers in each town,- but if satisfactory support was not forthcoming from the carriers the Department would have to consider entering into a private contract. >-.„,,..• Several questions were asked, re col--lecting of freights and cartage, and satisfactorily replied to; At the conclulsion of the address the chairman thanked Mr Welch for meeting the Association and for the clear manner in which. he had explained the policy of fchie Railway Department "in"regard to the cartage of goods. Mr Welch stated, in. reply that he would be in Te Awamiutu again shortly in connectioh-with the wool clip, and •h* would try to get a more representative gathering of carrierte, and«then see if a scale of charges could be arranged, to be found workable to the satisfaction of T all' concerned.