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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 11 (February 1, 1940)

Handling of Foodstuffs

Handling of Foodstuffs.

Foodstuff distribution is one of the big tasks of the Home railways, for immense quantities of foodstuffs of all kinds reach Britain every day from overseas, New Zealand imports being, of course, well to the fore. Our Navy, in co-operation with the French, maintains the freedom of the seas, and the elaborate convoy system works most efficiently. To give an idea of the enormous demands made upon the railways in handling foodstuffs, it may be noted that in four days recently, no fewer than twenty-eight vessels in four convoys, loaded with 100,000 tons of foodstuffs, docked at one port, and the bulk of the cargoes was rapidly discharged and distributed by the railways, to make room for further vessels due to berth the day after the fourth convoy docked. Within forty-eight hours of arrival of the 100,000 tons of foodstuffs, some 80,000 tons had been moved by the railways to distributing centres in twelve widely different parts of the country, and this without interfering with passenger and freight services or the movement of war material.

(Rly. Publicity photo.) Modern suburban transport in New Zealand. The popular multiple-unit electric train on the Wellington-Johnsonville line.

(Rly. Publicity photo.)
Modern suburban transport in New Zealand. The popular multiple-unit electric train on the Wellington-Johnsonville line.

Many peculiar problems for the railways arise out of the convoy system. For example, the arrival of large numbers of vessels at one time, with gaps between, instead of on regular berthing dates, gives rise to sudden periods of intense extra pressure. For reasons of safety, cargoes may be diverted from one port to another at a moment's notice, and traffic through a particular port may be trebled. Diversion of thousands of wagons from their usual traffic channels then follows, with altered locomotive workings. However, these difficulties are made light of by the railways, and so day after day the nation is fed. Some day, perhaps, we may find space for a more detailed story of how New Zealand's vital food products are handled here at Home under war-time conditions. Meanwhile, New Zealanders, be assured your contribution of essential foodstuffs is more than appreciated in every home, and hard as you are working, believe me it would seem as nothing if you could see, as I have seen, the joy in many a humble cottage when mother has proudly produced her weekly pat of butter or leg of Canterbury lamb!