THROUGH-BOOKING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1252, 7 October 1911, Page 8

THROUGH-BOOKING

PUETITJEB ACTION BY THE FASMERS' UNION. ' Tho question o£ introducing a system of through-booking for perishable- p'roduco from farms, orchards, and dairies, which was the subject of an interesting discussion at the recent Dominion Co'n'fcre'nc'6 of the Farmers' Unions, has moved ■•forward another "stage. Tho conference • referred ther matter to the advisory committee with instructions to urge upon tho Railway Department the necessity for bringing tlio system into operation. The Nelson delegates at the conference supplied much useful information, and tho ndyisory committee arranged with Mr. A. Loigh Hunt, manager of the Farmers' Distributing Co., to set out in tabular form actual costs of shipments under.tho present system and undor the p.ropos-ed "scheme. Mr. Hunt paid a visit'to the South' Island and to Auckland, And gathered a great deal of information in regard to tho difficulties under which farincrs. and ,'orchardists labour in successfully, marketing their produce, especially ' thoio. situated on isolated lines of railway. Comparative tables were, drawn, up embracing' many ports of transhipment, .and convincing cvidenco:!w,i9 collected of ; the t advantages .that a "■ through-booking system'''would confer upon'the small far■mers;.o£ the Dominion...' .' ■'".. •' ■■• Tho Dominion President •(Mγ. J. G; .Wilson), Mr. Hunt, .'arid the Dora'inion secretory' (Mr. E. C. Jack) waited upon the Department on Tuesday and fully discussed the subject. 'In the course of the interview, it was stated that Bonio fourteen years ago such a system was tried/ bnt was abandoned owing .to lack of support. The Department, however, recognised that conditions had vastly changed and they, saw no serious objection to the reinstatement of the scheme. Tho president pointed out that the proposal would really result ia increased revenue to tho Department if the facilities asked far were- granted. Tho Department has promised to favourably consider the matter, and the "Farmers' Union Advocate" says it has every reason to believe that the proposal will be adapted. The Department explains that what has'hitherto blocked the granting of the request has been their inability to obtaiir. special &?u freights, bnt-at the request of the deputation the (matter is to bs considered on the - basis :r present rafces;.;and if that is dono ■ the rest is nieroly a question, of arranging" transhipping contracts", a matter that should present practically no difficulties.