THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1884, 8 March 1880, Page 3

THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

The following letter has been addressed to tho Minister for Public Works by the President of the Chamber of Commerce, with reference to the difference between existing on tho Lyttelton and Christchurch railway, as compared with those in other parts of the colony : Christchurch, N Z., 3rd March, 1880. To the Hon, tho Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Sir, —I have the honor by resolution of this Chamber, to bring under yonr notice the exceptional rates charged on the Lyttelton and Christchurch line as compared with similar lines in other parts of the colony. According to the new railway regulations issued by yourself, and now in force, goods are divided into four classes—A, B, O, and_D, at 6d, sd, 4d and 3d per ton per mile respectively ; but in the tariff, part 4, under the heading of “ local rates,” certain lines are exempt from these rates, and have a fixed charge instead. It is to this portion of the tariff tbit I respectfully desire to direct yonr attention. 1. Lyttelton and Christchurch Lino. —For ships’ goods of classes A, B, O, and D, the rate is 6s 9d per ton ; deduct from this the terminal charge of 3s 9d per ton, and 3s per ton for actual haulage is left for a distance over seven miles. 2. Dunedin and Port Chalmers Ships goods of class A, B, C, and D, are all conveyed under tho D rate, or 2s per ton over a distance of eight miles. To pnt tho matter comparatively, it stands thus -Whereas tho charge on the Lyttelton line is 3s per ton for seven miles, the charge on the Port Chalmers line is 2s per ton for eight miles. Ir the charges were fixed on the same basis, the rate from Ljttclton should be reduced from 3s to Is 9d per ton. . I am aware that there is a possibility of competition by water between Poit Chalmers and Dunedin, and it may be contended that it is necessary to make some redaction to cope with this, but on further reference to tho tariff you will find that 3 Bluff to Invercargill—Goods of classes A, B, U, and D, are charged at the D rate, or the same as on the Port Chalmers line, ©n this portion there can be no question of water carriage competition, any more than between Lyttelton and Christchurch. After carefully considering tho subject, this Chamber is of opinion that a discriminating rate is charged on the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway, and as I observe from a report of your remarks to a deputation on railway masters in Dunedin that you strongly deprecate the idea that you bad any intenti m of making discriminating ra f o-, or a tariff based on the first cost of the railways, I respectfully submit that the rate in force on the Lyttelton and Christchurch line should bo assimilated with the general tariff rates on the port lines throughout New Zea laud, I have the honor to be, Sir, Tour obedient fervant. Geo. G. Stead, President.