RAILAGE OF STOCK.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1699, 15 March 1913, Page 7

RAILAGE OF STOCK.

* COMPLAINTS OF DELAYS. (By ToleiraDh.—Ptobs Association.) Auckland, March 14. Bitter complaints regarding tho delays to which slock have been, subjected while; being .railed to and frCu agricultural shows were mado at tho annual meeting of the A. and P. Association. Mr. Gray said tho present system was such that stock was exposed to risks so serious t!snt exhibitors. Mine quite likely to refrain from exhibiting at all. Ho had had experiences recently of trains which had averaged only about eight miles'per hour with stock on- board. Goods trains were much incommoded by being delayed to allow half-laden expresses to run. Ho did not blamo cither the Minister for Railways or tho Traffic Manager, but felt that the railway service was being held up by subordinates. Mr. Garland said ho believed, a better day was coming, for ithad been decided to appoint au expert to full control of t'lio railways. It was good members shduld make such complaints. They would show tho now official that a real grievance existed, and would indicate clearly the direction in which improvement should be effected. Mr. Dick said'it would bo well to secure improvement at onco. He proposed that ■ a deputation should wait on tho Minister for Railways to havo from him a clear statement, of the position. Tho president (Mr. J. R. Phillips) said that tho Department should be asked to give preference to all stock, and to show stock above ordinary stock. It was resolved that Messrs. Phillips, Rutherford, Johnstono, Paull, and Gray should wait upon tho Minister for Railways and bring tho matter before him.