TIMBER FREIGHT REVISION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1252, 7 October 1911, Page 4

TIMBER FREIGHT REVISION.

■ A MAIN TEUNK DEPUTATION. A deputation representing sawmilkrs fn tho ■ffaimarino district waited upon the Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for KaiJways) last evening to ask that freight rales on timber should be revised, It was introduced by Mr. It. W. Smith (Rnnjritikei), and its members wore Messrs. \V. G. Hnybittlo (Manawatu Timber Company), w. T, Irving (Turangarero Sawmifliug Company), K. Wilson (Uangataua. Timber Company), and M. M. Carpenter (manager of (Iho Bangitikoi Sairmillcrs' Association). The spokesman for tho deputation stat ed that sawmillcrs on tho Main Trunk lino suffcrod a disability as compared with millers on the Kotorua lino, with whom they were in competition in supplying tho Auckland market. Eotorua miflors, by reason of being nearer to tho Auckland market, had much less railage to pay uiidor the classified rates than their competitors on tho Main Trunk lino. In addition tho Rotnrua millers enjoyed a special rate which gave them an of 4d. to Gd. per 100 feet over (lie Main Trunk millers. This concession meant in many instances the difference between a profit and a loss. Tho deputation asked lihat Main Trunk millers south from Mangapoehi should be granted the samo conces>sion as applied to Mamaku (9d. lees than tho classified rate). As an alternative it was BMgKCsted that Kotorua rates and Main Trunk rates ns far south as Mangapeohi should be raised, and that the rates cliargod from loadiug points south of Mangapeehi should be reduced to allow of a concession of 3d. below classified ratos all round.

Mr. Smith, M.P., said thoro was not the slightest doubt that the Main Trunk millers were ha.ndicapp<jd unfairly. The tariff from Eotorua to Auckland had been based originally upon a concession which the opening of the Main Trunk line had raado unnecessary. Tho Auckland people wanted the timber from the Main Trunk, and the mi Here wanted to sell it there They desired to compete against the Oregon timber, which was being imported in enormous quantities. They realised that they had little hop of getting a concession, as they knew that tho Minister wished pa make tho railways pay, but tihoy. snbmiU ted that in fairness tho. tariff should be revised and anomalies removed. . ■ -

Tho Minister; "I will do that." (Applause.) Mr. Miliar said it was only fair that the Main Trunk millers should ho put in tho samo position in regard to rate as their competitors. He would give thorn tho samo terms so far as mileage was oonceraeo..