72 Journal op the Department of Agriculture. 



In disciission of the report a number of grievances against the 

 railways, such as lack of shunting facilities at the societies' private 

 sidings, preferential treatment to merchants in the matter of alloca- 

 tion of stands, the raising of the rent of railway stands in cases where 

 the status of the station was raised, etc., were brought forward by 

 the delegates, who maintained that co-operative societies should at 

 least be afforded the same privileges as those allowed by the Admini- 

 stration to the shopkeepers. 



The Administration's representative pointed out that the difficul- 

 ties of the societies in these respects were mostly due to the fact that 

 the societies usually came into the field after the station ground had 

 been allocated to other persons, and the Railway consequently very 

 often found it difficult to meet tlie societies, who, as a rule, required 

 a larger piece of ground than the merchants did. In the matter of 

 rent the societies were being treated much more leniently than the 

 siiopkeepers. The specific grievances voiced by the delegates would 

 be carefully investigated. 



The following resolution was passed unanimously: — 



'" That more facilities be granted by the Railway Administration 



to co-operative societies, in conformity with the discussions of the 



Congress." 



Item No. 1 (e). — That permits for the export of mealies he 

 furnished to co-operative societies direct. 



In view of the large surplus of maize which would probably be 

 available for export, the delegates urged that the societies should not 

 have any difficulty in obtaining the necessary permits. 



The Administration's representative replied that the permit 

 system had been introduced owing to the limited accommodation at 

 tJie. coast and the shortage of railway trucks. Where an exporter 

 could prove that he had sufficient accommodation at the coast, the 

 Department issued a permit, but the maize could not be consigned 

 before the station master had received orders to that effect. Permits 

 were being issued only to exporters. 



The Congress resolved : — 



" That before issuing permits for the export of maize, the 

 Government should satisfy itself that the persons applying for such 

 permits are actually in possession of the maize." 



Item. 1 (/). — That the railways he requested to apply a lower 

 tariff in respect of produce received at branch stores and 

 which must he reconsigned to the main store for treatment. 



It was pointed out that raw material consigned from stations for 

 treatment at the societies' main store, as well as maize delivered at 

 sidings where there was no stofe, had, when sold, frequently to pass 

 over the same line twice, in consequence of which the societies were 

 required to pay double transport charges. The Congress resolved: — 



" That the Railway Administration be asked to apply a lower 

 tariff in respep.t of produce passing twice over the same railway line." 



Item No. 2. — That the legislation in connection with the liahility 

 of resigned tnemhers of co-operative societies for Land Bank 

 loan he clearly explained. 



A good deal of discussion took place on this point. In accordance 

 with a resolution passed by the previous Congress, the Registrar read 

 the legal opinion obtained by the Agricultural Department regarding 



