RAILWAYS AND TIMBER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2410, 27 January 1909, Page 3

RAILWAYS AND TIMBER.

THE MINISTER’S VIEWS

(Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Jiau. 26

Replying to a deputation of savin illers asking for a reduction of railway freights on. timber, the Hon. J. A. Millar said it was not high freights hut tightness of the money market that caused the depression in the industry. No speculative ibuiildiug was going on, (and if the rate were reduced to 6d per ;100ft, it would not induce a revival. He could make no promise, seeing that a Royal . Coinmission would probably bo set up in a few d-ays. Alii information in , the possession of the Department would be placed before the Commission, which -would -he in h position to say what w-as necessary to he done in the interests of the industry. If concessions -were recommended, they could bo only temporary, as the railway must continue to p-ay the dividend they 'had been paying. He did not believe in making the general taxpayer pay for Urn: users of the railways. 'He did not endorse the policy of carrying freight at a loss. He hoped the Commission would .suggest a method to -put the timber industry on a better footing, without the sacrifice of railway revenue. As to Oregon pine, that was a matter of policy. He did not think people would allow la (prohibitory tariff to be .imposed. The Hon. J. A. Millar leaves on an inspection of tlft> North Island mil ways to-morrow. He will travel to Auckland via- New -Plymouth, receive various deputations on route, and return to Wellington via the Main Trunk line, commencing tin inspection of the South Island linos almost immediately. .