WOOL TRANSPORT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 10

WOOL TRANSPORT.

RAILWAYS' BID FOR business. CARTING FROM FARMS arranged FOR. To assist sheen-farmers to deciue upon sending their wool to the stores bv rail, arrangements bare been made bv the Railway Department in the Ashburton district to provide cartage from the farms'to the railway station - ,\ll- il. Chapman/ district Iraiiie Manager, wl.o .visited Asliburton towards the end of last week, r " pcrter yesterday: "We lave made arrangements in the Ashburtou and surrounding districts for carting t e from the farms to the railway station and a through rate from the farms will be charged. It is hoped that the farmers will make use of the service that is bein." provided and will do so in the interests of the railways of which th-ay maybe considered part proprietors. Referring to the comments made at a recent meeting of the Malvern County Council, as reported in the issue of "The Press l ' of the 12th inst., MiChapman said that the allegations were of too general a nature for him to deal .with. "I have written to the County Cleric," Mr Chapman added, "and asked him to give details. The Department expects its be courteous and helpful to the punnc, even to the extent of rendering what assistance they can in th? loading of wool. There is a charge nroivided for loading when it is done by" the Department, but when the owners of the wool do the actual loading the station staff are expected to assist, and will assist, as far as it is in their power to do so and as far as their other iduties will permit them to do-so. "We don't expect the staff to stand by and see men struggling for want of a bit of a lift. If the staff are there they are expected to assist hut, of necessity, it must be left to their discretion as to tho amount of assistance they can give. The Malvern County Clerk has been asked to supply details of want of courtesy. or lack of assistance, on the part of the railway staff."

TRADE WITH CANADA. PARLIAMENTARY VISITOR'S VIEWS. (special to "tee pmis") AUCKLAND, November 24. "The people of the various parte of the British Empire must get to know each other better. What we have seen on our present tour has. confirmed us in" - that view."

This was the opinion expressed by three Canadian members oT the Empire Parliamentary Party who are returning home after visiting South Africa. These Canadians (Senator W. H. Willoughby, and Mr "VV. G. McQuarrie and Colonel W. McLaren, M.P.'s) arrived by the Makura from Sydney. They were met on their arriival by Mr S., Croft, Canadian Trade. Commissioner at Auckland, and were later received by the Hon. C. J. Parr on behalf of the Government. They spent the day sight-seeing round the city. • _ Senator Willoughby said the people and Parliament of Canada , were strongly in favour of encouraging trade within the Empire. There was already a very friendly feeling, between the people of Canada and New Zealand, and he felt that there was an opportunity for further trade between the two countries. The proposal to have a New Zealand 1 Trade Commissioner in Canada would result in the working up of considerable business. New Zealand butter was already very popular in Canada by reason of its quality and flavour, and they could take more of it. Then, again, the reverse seasons made it possible to build up a very large trade in fruit. He pointed out + hat Canadian Government ships -were returning to Canada Practically empty, whereas they might be carrying full cargoes of New Zealand nrodnce. He mentioned that Canada bought all the sweet potatoes she consumed, and if they were available rwuld take large auantities from New Zealand. . There was also an opening for the direct shipment of merino wonT, lamb, and mutton. Further more, the fact tbnt Canada was nit now making ko much rbe#>se pave • New Zealand a larorpr market" in tTiis. rnmnwdity, Mr McQuarrie referred to the lack of publicity concerning New Zealand in Canada, and said there was room for the circulation of literature aiid for more advertising. - •

RAILWAY FREIGHT RATES. FARMERS' UNION EVIDENCE. (press association teleqbam.) WELLINGTON, November 24. Anomalies in connexion with railway freight rates on articles, of agricultural use .were pointed out to the Railway Commisioners, Sir Sam Fay and. Sir Vincent Raven, to-day on behalf of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and other producers' organisations by Colonel J. Pow, secretary of the Farmers ' Union.

The first point made was in regard to freight rates on farm requirements. It was contended that rates should be adjusted by the Railway Department so as to eliminate motor opposition. The Union contended tha't high freight upon fertilisers was tending to retard production. Rates on pure-bred stock and eggs were father high, and the Poultry Association asked that, eggs should be carried on express trains at freight rates.

Sir Sam Fay said it was impossible to satisfy everyone 'in the matter of freight charges. The object of every classification list was to place the burden of rates upon those who could afford to pay. Colonel Pow replied that there; was a protective tariff on imported fertilisers, sheep dip, etc., but it hit the very man who could least afford to pay. Sir Sam Fay said they had had a good deal of experience upon that question in Australia, where it was probably more pronounced and more acute than in New Zealand. It was more a matter of St#te policy than of railway rates, and he admitted it was a difficult problem to deal with. The Commission would look into the matter.

Colonel Pow, in reply to Sir Sam Fay, said the Union would rather see rates on wool increased and those on fertilisers taken off. The Union also considered that freight on imported timber should be the same as on local timber. Better facilities for trucking grain also were suggested.