TIMBER FREIGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 20 April 1912, Page 6

TIMBER FREIGHTS.

SAWMILLERS' GRIEVANCES,

LAID BEFORE THE MINISTER.

A deputation of sawmillers, representing tho Rangitikci, tho West Coast of tho t.tfuth Island, W-airo-'rapa, and Upper Hutt, waited upon tho Minister for Railways (tho Hon. A. M. Myers) yesterday afternoon to ask for redress of certain grievances in regard to tho carriage of timber on tho railways. The General Manager of Railways (Mr. T. Roiiayno) and tho Chief Clerk (Mr. R. \V. M'Villv) were, also present. ~i lr- .W - 0. Hayhittlo (Rangitikei) said the rates for the carriage of tim)>er were, higher on the .ilain Trunk line than on the Rotorua line, and this was disadvantageous lo Rangitikei sawmillers competing in the Auckland market. Tho lato Minister for Railways (Mr. Millar) had definitely promised to havo the, matter put right, but it had not been done. The secretary of the Rangitikei- Sawmillers' Association wrote to Mr. Millar on tho matter on January 13, 1912, and Mr. It. W. Smith, M.P., wrote to tho General .Manager later, but no reply had b«»n received to cither communication. "I don't, know if Mr. M'Villy is present," continued Mr. Havbittlo. "Wo have been told that Mr." Roimyno has no power at all, because Mr. M'Villv manages tho railways and behaves as if he (iwned them." (Laughter.) Mr. W. D. Irvine (Rangitikei) said that tho proximity of the Rotorua district to Auckland gave the sawmillers of that district an advantage of Is. in freights to Auckland, as compared with- the freights from Rangitikei, but on top of that they had certain concessions. Thero was a concession of 9d. on timber fiVm Mannkau, and 7d. from Putnruru, wlulo on the Main Trunk lino the concession from Otorohanga was 4d., and from Maiigapcehi id., and Rangitikei 3d. They considered that they were being doubly mulct because they, like others, had to contribute to the consolidated revenue to make good the loss that was partly caused by the concessions. When they interviewed Mr. Millar lost October, lie turned down the corner of their petition and wiVto on it: "Referred to the Railway Department with instructions to equalise these ratos." He told thom what ho was writing, and definitely promised that it would be done. Ye't it had not been done, and they had heard nothing of the matter sinoo. Equality Promised. The Minister said he recognised that tho position was as stated, but in justification of the delay the Departmental officers, in taking action according to his predecessor's minute, it was only fair to say that'it was a matter that involved a considerable amount of money, and it was necessary to placo it before Cabinet. His hearers, as business men, should rather commend'the-officers for • doing their duty in a matter for which Cabinet might afterwards hold them responsible. Certain concessions mado ' in January, 1909, to the same district cost the Government .£25,000, and it was estimated that what was now asked would cost another .£15,000. Timber, owing to conditions laid down in 189G, was carried at a very low rate. One or two things' must be done.- The Department must put the Main Trunk sawmillers on tho 6amo footing as tho Mamaku millers were now on, or must raise tho rates to the latter. Mr. Irvine, interrupting, said tho latter course would satisfy them. They did not want' toinorcaso tho cost to the railways, v.-;'-' Mr! Myers, continuing, said his position was ■ virtually that of a- trustee, and lie would have to investigate tho whole matter very carefully before he mado any change whatever. The figures for the past financial vear would soon be out, and ho would then bo able to make somo recommendations to Cabinet in regard to tho working of the railways. Then when ho was in a position to formulate a policy ho would' have pleasure in communicating with tho sawmillers. Ho fully realised the injustice of the present.pos.) r [ tion. '■''■ •■■'■•■ ..-.-.,-,>' Penalties on Consignors. Mr. Haybittle next complained that tho 'imposition cf double charges -when the quantity'of timber in a consignment was understated was often unfair in its application. He mentioned an instanco in which a very slight error had led. to. a consignment a very little over 50 feet being cliargo as 2410 feet. If the railways had competitors and were run ns a business they would not treat their customers

so. The Minister: You will find we shall shake things up. Mr. Haybittle: I hopo so. Mr. Eonayno said it was found necessary in tho interest of tho to imposo tho penalty, ■ but bona fido clerical orrors wore not penalised. Sometimes understatements to the amount of 1000 or 1500 feet wcro made, and tho same'-men had had to be ponnlised again It had been absolutely necessary' to appoint timber checkers. The Department did not want to harass tho sawmillcrs. It only wanted a fair deal. Mr.* L. Tennnnt (West Coast) said ho would bo very glad to convoy Mr. Bonayne's explanation to the other sawmillers. Unfortunately the Department did not allow anything ,for clerical errors in tho shape of overstating tho quantity of a consignment, though any private concern would do 60. Mr. Eonayno said ho could not admit this allegation regarding the Department. It had not beforo been brought under his notice. Another sawmiller stated that a week never passed without the millers suffering from clerical errors On tho part of tho Department. ■ Mr. M. M. Carpenter complained of excessive charges for unloading timber at Frankton Junction. To Treat the Customers Fairly. The Minister sand tho railways wero run for a specific purpose, which included helping, so far as possible, thoso who used tliem. In imposing tho penalty for understating quantities, there was no- intention to treat unfairly thoso who made bona fido miscalculations. Instructions had been given that when slight orrors had been made in a bona fido way, tho consigndr should bo'notified, and the fine should only bo imposed on the occasion of a. second default. Ho wanted them to look on the Eailway Department as nn institution that would do everything possible within reasonable limits to conservo tho interests of its customers, and if there was any matter in which they thought thoy were not being fairly treated by tho local officers they could always fall back on the general His own instructions would always be in the direction of treating tho customers fairly. Instructions would be given throughout tho whole service that if in checking timber an officer . found that a consignor bad made an error to tho advantage of tho Department, tho consignor should bo informed. That was what a private merchant would do. It was no pleasure to obtain revenuo through such mistakes, but rather an occasion of regret. In such cases the consignor would receive a credit noto forthwith. "Wo aTO out for business," concluded the Minister; "wo want to (jet on with our customers, and we are to. Wo can't always accede to your wishes, because wo are going to run tho Eailway Department in the samo way as yon run your businesses, on sound business lines." Shortage of Trucks. Mr. George Bartholomew spoke of great difficulties and loss caused by tho shortage of trucks on the Main Trunk lines. The Minister said ho had called for a full report on the whole question of rolling stock, and hoped soon to lie ablo to nmko ft statement. He thought tlioy would find Hint tho policy in regard to rolling stock would bo an active, one. Ho suggested that users of tho railways could facilitate matters by getting their goods ateav as quickly as possible, and especially when 'holidays were approaching, so as to avoid the rush.