The Feilding Star. WEDNESDAY', NOV. 22, 1882. THE NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 45, 22 November 1882, Page 2

The Feilding Star. WEDNESDAY', NOV. 22, 1882. THE NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

♦■ ~ — The above tariff, which will come into force on December 12th, has been published, and our contemporary, the Wellington Post says : — " Under the new scale of charges for the conveyance of grain, which the Christchurch merchants have succeeded in forcing the Government to adopt, it is note-worthy that grain will be carried at much lower rates per ton than timber, coals, or even road metal. A steady reduction has been going on ever since 1860, and now the reduction amounts to, as nearly as possible, 50 per ceut. since October, 1880. A heavy loss of revenue must almost inevitably be the result of this alteration, and it will be strange if other trades and industries, not similarly favored by the railway tariff, do not put in their claims for equal consideration. This illustrates the disadvantage of political influence being allowed to dominate railway management." We are not inclined to agree with the Post that a heavy loss of revenue will be the result. In an article published in our issue of June the 21st, we advocated certain reforms in the grain charges, and are pleased to find that our efforts have assisted the farmers in gaining the concession. It must be remembered that cheapness of carriage will enable thousands of acres of land to be brought under the plough that are now lying id.c fiom the prohibitive cost of getting grain to a market. The consequent increase in the quantity of grain produced will more than recoup the railway in the future. It must also be considered that new lands under cultiration means new settlers, and increased consumption of dutiable goods of all kinds, thus indirectly adding to the general revenue of the colony. For the coming grain season we admit that there will probably be a falling off in the revenue for carriage. Yet there is also a chance of the increased acreage under grain crop, and the present promise of a bountiful harvest meeting a great part of of tbis deficiency -without increasing materially the working expenses of the rail- , way. The same rules that apply to this reduction in the charges for grain carriage, will also apply to that of timber. In these charges there appears to be a want that is not very easy to define, yet we are aware of a feeling of irritation existing in the minds of the sawmillers of ■ the colony, and especially in the Manawatu, caused by the apparent irksomeness , of all charges nnd regulations affecting i their trade. It is very difficult to sug--1 gest a remedy when the evils are so vague and illdefined, but of the existence of certain evils there can be little doubt, for the feeling would not be so widely spread as it now is, if such were not the case. We believe that with the charge for carriage of timber for local consumption, the sawmillers are perfectly satisfied, as this falls directly on the consumer, and consequently does not immediately affect them. Where any grievances must be looked for then is ia the case of charges on timber for shipment coastwise or to the Australian colonies. Ordinary timber consigned to Wanganui and Foxton to vessels for shipment is charged 3d per 100 feet less than classified rates. This was a concession obtained from the Government to put Manawatu sawmillers on an equal footing with sawmillers in other parts of the colony where no wharfage was paid. The second concession was for white pine shipped direct to Australian ports from Wanganui or Foxton. A reduction of 25 per cent, was made on the rate for shipment as above stated. When this reduction was made it was understood to be merely experimental, and a term of six mouths was allowed to give the thing a trial As it has now become a standing, part of the regulations, it is to be assumed that the experiment has so far been a successful one, both as regards the Government and the sawmillers. We must make some reservotion for the latter, for they are far from satisfied with the contingent regulations, one of which is thit timber must absolutely be cleared from Foxton and Wanganui to Australian ports direct. It is not permitted to be forwarded via any other convenient port, where a large vessel may lie and load, whose draught of water preludos* her crossing these bars when loaded. That is to say thnt " lighterage" of white ■ pine timber for a hundred miles or there- .

abouts alters its character and deprives it of certain immunities. A stroke of the pen by the Minister would remove this grievance, nnd the revenue would suffer no loss of any kind. Another cause of complaint is the charge for laths, by weight instead of by measurement, they being really sawn timber, and properly only chargeable as such. This prohibitive charge has virtually stopped tlie export of this article from the Manawatu, and burked an entirely new export. The remedy we propose for this would be either to charge at an advance on the sawn timber rate in proportion to the value as compared with timber, or to make a charge at per truck. We beliere this would meet the requirements of both parties. We would suggest that a private meeting be held, composed of the sawmillers only, where these and other matters important to the trade could be discussed, and a decided line of action laid down.