TRANSIT OF SHOW STOCK.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 73, 29 December 1911, Page 4

TRANSIT OF SHOW STOCK.

A CLOSE-FISTED MINISTER. Discussing the well-ventilated question of the transit of show stock the “ Otago Witness ” says that as each show season comes round the elose-usted attitude of the Minister for Railways (Hon. J. A. Millar) has its shares of animadversion. His attitude in the past in regard to this matter has, according to the Witness,” been shortsighted, to say the least of it. The question of reasonable terms for the conveyance of stock to and from the show is of much importance to the farming community, and has a direct bearing on tire success

of the show. Very much more business-like and sensible arrangements might be made than exist at present' There is no need to explain the present want of method. It has been a source of irritation alike to exhibitors of stock and to the show authorities for years, and it is not creditable to anyone connected with the tipuiations made. If the flockowner does not go about with a sheaf of certificates from the secretary he will be landed with the full ordinary freight .which is charged in the first place ; and if ever he gets a refund after complying with the silly regulations, he will have worked hard enough to have more than earned it. A more complex, annoying set of regulations "were never conceived. Is it any wonder that owners of stock complain to the committee, and that the entry of stock to the show is affected detrimentally by such annoyance? These regulations have proved most irksome to exhibitors from the country, who have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with them, as they find that, owing to having neglected some detail, they were put to considerable trouble and worry. If this is the sort of help the Government extends to agricultural and pastoral associations they deserve little thanks for it. It would be the simplest thing in the world to charge quarter rates each way, and put a stop to full charges, rebates, certificates, and l'ed tape generally. If the stock went back it would have to pay ; if not it wouldn't. The treatment extended to exhibitors in other countries shows up the attitude hitherto taken by our Minister for Railways in this matter in a very unfavourable light.