EXAGGERATED STATEMENT SAYS RAILWAYS HEAD

Chronicle (Levin), 28 March 1947, Page 5

EXAGGERATED STATEMENT SAYS RAILWAYS HEAD

WELLINGTON, March 27. The natiomil transport system was 011 the verge of a eollapse, said Mr. W. L. Blyth, at last night's meetiug of the Wellington Ilarbour Board. He was speaking to a report by a member, Mr. W. L. Eit /herbert, aiul the assistant general manager, Mr. M. P. Gongjon, who had attended when a deputation representing fhe Welling Chamber of of Commerce, the Merehants' Eedera tion and the Master Carriers' Associa tion waited 011 the General Manager of Railways, Mr. Sawers. This report stated that it appeared that the Kailway Department was not in a position to do any more Ihan at present regnrding elearing cargo from Wellington, which, of course, iucluded clearance from the wharf sheds. Three questions had been put to Mr. Sawers: Could tlie railways extend the hours of receiving cargo at the railway vards from 4 to 4.30 p.m.! Would the railways ensure a greater amount ot labour to handle the goods more effici entlv in tlie railway yards? Could the railways give a greater supply of wagons in order to remove goods fron? Wel lingtou to the countrv districts? The report stated that JMr. Sawers made it clear that owing to the shortage of labour it was inipossible to ex tend the hours of receiving cargo in the railway yards. Labour was inipossible to obtain, and in the opinion of ilr. Sawers, the position would probably further detcriorate. Tnere was a s-hoi't-age of rolling stock due to the fact that production was greatly curtailed during war years. Further, the supply of wagons was seriously affected by the operation of the 40-hour week, which held up numbers of loaded wagons from Friday night until the following ilonday or Tuesdav.