TRACTION ENGINES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 130, 23 November 1911, Page 5

TRACTION ENGINES.

IN COMPETITION WITH RAILWAYS.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehurch, Last Night. At to-day's meeting of the North Canterbury executive of the Farmers' Union, the chairman (Mr. F. G. Horrell) moved: "That this executive deplores the attitude adopted by a number of fermiers who, though they have the railway at their doors, send their produce to the market by traction engine." He said that in his own district nearly all the wool was sent by traction engine, with the result that damage was done to bridges en route to the extent of £lO or £2O every trip. It was a "penny wise and pound foolish" policy, and indirectly they must be losing money to the railways and in the upkeep of their roads and bridges. Mr. Luscombe seconded the motion. Several speakers supported it, Mr. Sheat declaring that the fanners who did not use the railways were indirectly penalising themselves. It was but right that wool from back country stations not served by the railways should be conveyed tliic whole of the distance by traction engines, but farmers contiguous to railways would find it cheaper to use them rather than send their wool by traction engine. The motion was agreed to.