INTER-COASTAL FREIGHTS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14887, 29 January 1914, Page 4

INTER-COASTAL FREIGHTS.

■"■ . : *-— r ' '-■•""• > ALLEGED DISCRMINATION. The question of inter-coastal freights and their effect upon tha South Island, and especially tha Canterbury farmer, was the subject of a letter front Mr G. "VV. Leadley, which was read at yester- : day's meeting of the Executive of tho North Canterbury Farmers' Union.. 3ir G, W. Leadley wrote apologising for inability to be present, and suggesting that the executive should discuss \ the question of inter-coastal sea freights on grain and chaff. He wrote:—"This year (as in the past) we are likely to be.shut out of our own markets in the North by the-excessive charges made by the Union Company for trahspß-ting our produce, .as they apparently discriminate against the 'New Zealand Sroduce in favour of the Australian, his should not be. Tho Union Company have riot shown themselves in any sense tho friends of the New Zealand farmer, although the farmers came to their lieip in the recent trouble, and I think they should bo asked by a resolution of your executive whether there are -any good and sufficient reasons why 'the freight on farm produce from i southern New Zealand pc**ts to Auckland and way pQrte should bo higher I than on Australian stuff to the same points. It is an absolute fact that it jis so, and it simply means that we aro driven out of our own market by our own local company. If the executivo do not care to approach tbe company by resolution, I would suggest that a committee be appointed to go into tho whole question of freights and charges on transport of farm produce. This is a very important matter for tha local producers, as we have to find an outside market for the greater part of our products, and if wo are to be blocked with excessive rates for carriage, etc., we are placed at a very great disadvantage.*' The-President (Mr C. H. Ensor) said that tho matter was one that required to bo approached very carefully, and the executive would need to be very sure of its facts before taking tho action suggested. He moved: —"That tho letter be referred to the Commercial Committee to report upon." This was agreed to.