NON-CARRIAGS OF CEMENT.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 142, 24 July 1919, Page 1

NON-CARRIAGS OF CEMENT.

Protest From Matamata. A letter has boon forwarded to the Minister for Railways by the Matamata branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union the text of which ,is as follows: — "Wo wish to draw your attention to the position in which farmers aro placed through your department's decision (hat cement l>o included in the list of goods which are not to Ibo carried by rail during the I period of curtailment. The rul- / ing must result in hundreds of I farmers being placed at a very ! serious disadvantage—one reason (and perhaps tho chief one) being that in view of the closely approaching milking season many (including returned soldiers) are creeling sheds for tho coming i season, 'iud there is no need to

I enlarge upon the importance of cement as a factor in this connection. If, however, the carrying of cement by rail is to continue to by prohibited those newly entering the dairying inilustty will bo blocked, unless they endeavor to carrj on with muddy and insanitary yards and tako the risk of having their milking promises utterly condemned by tho dairy inspector." Another point drawn attention to was that farm machinery, less essential for the time being, than cement, was being carried. The branch thoroughly appreciated tho department's difficulties but urged that the department revise its list, and rcmovo tho restriction regarding comont, without which to an extent tho dairying industry will bo paralysed.