The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DEC. 22, 1885. Railway Charges

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 83, 22 December 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DEC. 22, 1885. Railway Charges

:♦ At the last meeting of the Kiwitea Road Board the following resolution was passed:—-" That a petition be , drawn up for presentation to the Government requesting the removal of the present charges for loading wool, grain, &c., and that the same be , forwarded to the chairmen of the different local bodies for signature." For the information of our readers we j quote from the Gazette of October 2nd, 1885, in which are the fares, rates, and charges on the New Zealand railways on that date, and which are now in force. Under the heading of Class E. for grain and other agricultural produce, it is provided, after naming certain stations at sea ports where exceptional charges are made — " When the loading or unloading is done by the owners, or when loaded by owners into sheds owing to trucks not being available after reasonable notice is given, the classified rates only will be charged. When theloading or unloading is done by the Railway Department 6d per ton will be charged for each operation." Under the heading Glass H. wool, dried sheepskins, and rabbitskins in bales, it is provided — "All loading and unloading must be. done by the owner. For each loading or unloading done by the Railway Department 3d per bale for undumped and «d per bale for double-dumped will be charged." The resolution of the Kiwitea Road Board, it may be assumed, is intended to refer only to grain and wool forwarded on the Wanganui section of railway— -and to no other. At least there is nothing in its wording which would lead us to arrive at any other conclusion. Be that as it may, so far as it applies to this section of railway we give it our warm support, but, at the same time, we are perfectly conscious that the petition will be refused by the department. They will not deny that farmers bringing in small quantities are subjected to a tax they can ill afford to pay but the tariff will be quoted to show that this charge is allowed for in the rates for haulage, which are made low in proportion to the rate which would be charged if the department did the loading and unloading. Thueit would | be made to appear that by leaving it optional to do this work himself or to get the Railway Department to under* take at a known' and fixed rate, the farmer is really the- person who is benefitted. This is reasonable enough pop beoause it would be unfair to the farmer who loaded at a side al^to^

with, his own labor, to be charged the same haulage rates as hewhocould avail himself of the convenience of a station where Government labor was provided to load his produce for him. We hope the compilers of the petition will state clearly on what grounds they ask these concessions, also whether they are to be only of lecal application without any reference to the South Island where it would be suicidal for the department to grant them. We would suggest that a schedule be prepared showing the total imports and exports of wool and grain to and from the district of each local body signing the petition. This document would be a valuable guide to the railway authorities, in forming an opinion on the merits of the petition. We hope the information here given will be found of assistance to the Board.