AGREEMENT BROKEN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 161, 29 September 1941, Page 5

AGREEMENT BROKEN

SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS

ARRANGEMENT FOR FARMERS

METALLING

When the County Council decided to assist farmers who were obli'ged to change from cream supply for butter to providing xnilk for cheese manufactured, by supplying metal for roiaidi construction the problem of cartage arose. The council felt that its own trucks might be used;, but this brought a protest from the Carriers' Association, which assured the council that ample trucks were available for the work.

The Association was of the firm opinion that carting should be clone by those making their living by

such work and stated that at all

times ten or eleven vehicles would at the disposal of the council. of carting were' agreed upon and. the urgent and. essential work commenced, only for the council to find, so it was stated at last week's meeting, that the Carriers Association was not to keep its bargain with resultant confusion, loss of time and handicap to both the council and tlie farmers purchasing metal. Cr H. C. McCready introduced the subject stating that the Association had rarely supplied the trucks required and for which the acting■engineer had asked. The Association had not only broken its agreement, but had not notified the act-ing-engineer when all trucks were not going to be on the job. Repeatedly Mr Tomkins had had his programme ararnged, only for it to be disrupted by the non-appear-ance of some vehicles expected. Hehad not been notified on ithese occasions and it had been necessary for him to waste a considerable amount of valuable time' telephoning to find whether or not all lorries expected would be sent. He had been forced to make use of the council's vehicles.

•Cr A. F. McGougan: "Tlie carriers are only making a convenience vof the job it appears."

Cr McCready: "They 'squealed' •when we suggested doing the job and wouldn'it allow us to do so, yet they won't do it themselves. Worse, they don't even trouble to notify they don't intend to turn up.' r

The chairman: "Well that puts us. on side and we can use our own vehicles." Mr Burnett added ithat the Association had assured that eleven or twelve trucks would be available for all parts of the County, when the objection had been raised to the vehicles being used.