THE CURTAILED TRAIN SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1919, Page 5

THE CURTAILED TRAIN SERVICE.

UNIVERSAL PROTESTS. BEER v. URGENT NECESSITIES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. wafiganui, July 3. . The local branch of the Society of Carpenters and Joiners has wired to the Minister of Railways, pointing out that the prohibition of the railage of building material is very serious for the building trades, and suggesting that the Minister substitute building material for liquor. The Wanganui Chamber of Commerce lias wired to Sir James Allen Tetlie railway coal shortage: It is understood tiie freight restrictions have been amended to permit the railage of liquor. Considering the extremely serious commercial position due to the non-railage of urgent essentials, including material for soldiers' and workers' homes, we would ask if the reinstatement of liquor freights lias the approval of Cabinet. Wellington, July 3. Inquiries at the railway stations bear-out the supposition that travellers by train are now confined practically to those who must come to or leave Wellington on business. The long distance pleasure traffic appears to have ceased almost entirely. Napier, July 3. The Chamber of Commerce discussed the train curtailments, and resolved to urge the department to carry full loads of goods not on the present list for carriage, provided the coal consumption was not increased. It also decided to urge business places to open at 8.30 and close at 4.30, in order to help the situation. The Chamber supported the resolution of the Wellington Philosophical Society as to mak-j ing New Zealand time twelve hours ahead of Greenwich time. Palmerston N., July 3. The Chamber of Commerce to-day discussed the question of the reduced railway service. Several anomalies in the schedule of goods permitted to be carried were pointed out. The meeting adopted a resolution pointing out that the drastic action would seriously disorganise industries and commerce in the country, especally in the inland towns, and asking that the schedule be revised to include Buch necessary things aa blankets, flannel goods, winter underclothing, trees and seeds for planting, and cattle drenches, and to facilitate the necessary goods being consigned to storekepers for distribution amongst settlers; that the carriage of liquor was not essential. The Chamber also passed a resolution viewing with serious concern the proposal materially to increase railway freights.

REMOVAL OF SOME RESTRICTIONS. DEPUTATION TO GENERAL MANAGER. Wellington, Last Night. The committee appointed by the conference of local bodies and chambers of commerce to confer with the Railway Department regarding the new regulations waited on Mr. McVilly, General Manager of Railways, to-day, and pointed out certain difficulties: which would be experienced, particularly in respect of ,the provision preventing the carriage of certain commodities except those consigned direct to fanners. It was urged that the restrictions would . pu,t up-country merchants out of business and serve no useful purpose, inasmuch as they ivould mean a large number of smaller consignments and no decrease in the total bulk to be carried. Replying, Mr. JUcVilly agreed to relax the provisions regarding grain and seed on the strict condition that all consignors were careful to see that only reasonable and normal quantities were sent to their clients. He refused to make any concessions in regard to fertilisers. He also said it was impossible ,to carry cement just now, but .hoped to be able to review the position in a week or so. A meeting of delegates of chambers of commerce and other bodies was held, and the result of the deputation to Mr. McVilly was explained. A resolution was passed pledging the meeting to do all in its power to assist the Railway Department in the present coal crisis and undertaking to prevent, wherever possible 'the carrying of unnecessary goods. Another resolution was carried protesting against the removal of restrictions on the carriage on railways of beer, wine, and spirits, and urging that the restrictions be immediately reimposed in view of the urgent requirements of the country for absolutely essential goods.

CARRIAGE OF FAT STOCK. Dunedin, Last Night. As the result of a conference between the Traffic Manager of Railways and .the president of the Stock Agents' Association, arrangements were made for the carrying of livestock by the railways, which will carry for Burnside market weekly up to 15 trucks of fat sheep ana lambs and up ,to 10 trucks of fat cattle, for bona fide sale to butchers only for local consumption. Trucks are to be ordered at least a week before the sale of any stock, which, if unsold, must be offered to butchers the following week. The Department has the right to reduce the number of (rucks carried in the following week by the approximate number carried over. GOODS SERVICE AT LYTTELTON. Christchurch, Last Night. The railway traffic manager stated to-night that ,t had been decided to deal with goods traffic to and from Lyttelton without restriction. EFFECT IN CANTERBURY. Christchurch, Last Night. Since the trains' curtailment, the passenger traffic in Canterbury has decreased by almost half. The i-.!;mtry services are very noticeable in this respect, while the number of people undertaking the lengthened trip to Dunedin is practically confined to .those oil business. DISMAY IN WELLINGTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 1. Business people are expressing dismay at the effect of the new train arrangements on the conveyance of mails, and ' are suggesting that the Government should make special arrangements for the carriage of mails on the trunk lines. [The Department does not Bee its way to special mail trains. The cut in

fact that another fortnight's running on ,tlie old scale would have brought a com-, plete stoppage on many lines. The sole? method of saving a substantial amount* of coal yr&s to cut but all the express l ; trains, and if mail trains were restored at one point they wottld have ,to berestored at other points. That is the; present official view. GOODS AT BREAKWATER. TO BE CARRIED TO TOWN. In reply to the letter forwarded by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., regarding the shipping of cargo at the breakwater, Mr. R. W. MoVilly, general manager of railways, forwarded last night the following communication: "Re your telegram re shipping goods. Instructions have been given that ship's goods be conveyed from the wharf to the goodsshed or yard, New Plymouth, or vice versa, without restrictions." This intimation should allay any uneasiness regarding the handling of goods at the breakwater.