MORE TRUCKS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 2 June 1910, Page 3

MORE TRUCKS.

AN EVERLASTING TROUBLE. GOVERNMENT MUST BORROW OR RAISE RATES. . (By Teleßraph-Press Association.) Chrisfchurch, June 1 Th'e perennial complaint regarding the shortage of trucks at Lyttelton, and consequent inconvenience occasioned thereby, was one of the subjects dealt with by a deputation from the Lyttelton Harbour Hoard, which waited on the Hon. J. A. Millar this afternoon. Mr. A. Kayo put the case to the Minister, and referring to the action taken by previous Ministers in charge of railways, said that they had never been able to relieve the situation. Mr. Hugo Friedlander (chairman of the board) dealt with the arbitrary manner in which the railway authorities treated farmers, who, unable to get trucks, put their grain in the railway good sheds, and who unless they removed the grain when asked by the authorities were colled upon to pay penalties, and if those were not paid they were prevented from removing their grain. The Minister, in dealing with the shortage of trucks, said that it was an everlasting trouble, and always would bo as far as ho could see. It was an absolute impossibility to make provision lor more than what would be called normai trade, Four coal -esscls arriving at Lyttelton within an hour of each other ard starting to discharge was sufficient to cause a shortage of trucks. The question was a large one, and one thai: ho was trying to cope with to the best of his ability. Last year 740 new fourwheeled wagons and 37 larger wagons, in all equal to 1000 new wagons, were placed on the lines of the Dominion. This year-over 1200 were under construction. Tho whole amount voted for equipping lines (and Parlia-inent squeaked at it) was .£350,000 this year. He had 42 locomotives under order, which would be delivered wit bin the next liightcun months, in addition to 1232 wagons, and 30 or 40 other vehicles, and he could not do any more without money being borrowed. Immediately that was proposed there would be howls from one end of the country to the other about. the Government going in for borrowirg. If more trucks were wanted tho alternative was ti> borrow or to raise the rates for the carriage of goods, so that the amount required would corno out of revenue. To find half a million pounds out of revenue meant that the users of the'lines would have to pay more. He, himself, thought that the cost of. equipping the lines was a fair charge on capital account, seeing that they would hand on the equipment unimpaired.: Until Parliament authorised thii borrowing of a sufficient sum, they would always be twelve months behind requirements This year's vote would only meet- requirements anticipated last. year. At the end of the present year '..hey would not be in a much better position, and the result would be that next year's increased requirements, woul.l be unprovided for.' If, instead of constructing 1200 trucks this year, they made 3000, they would probably overtake requirements. At present it took him all ■ his time making the railways pay interest, an'l if it was expected that additional rolling stock was to be paid out of revenue it would bo necessary either to pay the interest out of consolidated fund or increase rates. As far as the Department was concerned it was doing everything possible. If there was unnecessary delay in emptying wagons and in sending them back he wo ild have the matter inquired into. Considerable improvement had been effected in this respect as resolutions from farmers' unions and A. and P. associations testified. Under tho present conditions he could not promise that more than 1000 or 1200 trucks could bo added annually.

Kegording the matter referred to by ilr. Friedlander, the Minister said that the district traffic managers were supposed to exercise a littlo discretion in their administration, and not to unduly strain regulations one way. or other. He would make inquiries and advise tho board later on. He had no desire that tho Department should act arbitrarily, but he-had. to'.protect the interests of the public, as'a whole.