FARMERS AND FLAG STATIONS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1569, 12 October 1912, Page 8

FARMERS AND FLAG STATIONS

CONCERNING RECEIPTS FOR GOODS.

The general manager of the New' Zealand Railways, replying to Mr. E. C. Jack, secretary of the Dominion Farmers' Union, in regard to a resolution passed at tho recent conference urging that receipts for goods received and delivered should be given and taken at flag-stations, whero tablet porters are in charge, says:— "I have To inform - you that the tablet porters are placed at stations principally to attend to the tablet instruments, and to the train-running, and they are liable to removal should alteration in the timetable and the crossing of trains bo necessary.' As a matter of fact, they are of considerable advantage to the settlers using the stations, and they keep a general eye on mods, etc., while waiting delivery. If tie Department were to undertake the responsibility- of giving and taking receipts at sucu stations demands would immediately arise for tho Department to place station-mnstors in charge ■at considerably increased expenditure. There is a very large number of flagstations throughout tho Dominion, many of them being plaoed short distances apart. Such stations are of considerablo advantage to the settlors- whoso land they serve; but if full facilities were to be provided at all such stations the question of. closing many of them would have to be considered. In the circumstances, I regret that after giving the matter every consideration I. cannot see my way to accede to your union's request."