THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2102, 18 November 1880, Page 4

THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

TO THB BDITOB OF THB FSBSB. giE,—The time is at hand when the Canterbury portion of the railways will be fully employed, and soarcely anything has been done towards getting the tariff for Canterbury at all events lowered to a reasonable rate for overy description of goods. It is this very abject submission on the part of those chiefly concerned, this yielding to what seems to be regarded as inevitable, that emboldens the Government in their treatment of this province. In framing the tariff, as in all matters affecting the district, the vis inertite of the people is fully calculated upon, as, in the adjoining province, the vigorous opposition encountered when a measure is disliked is allowed for. As to differential rates for this province (except they are against us), there does not appear the ghost of a likelihood of such ever been obtained, for the simple reason that nothing has been done with the view of showing the Government that they were even wished for, much less that they were looked upon as our right, and were demanded as sush. What can one man do, or even one body of men, where so many are concerned ? The Boad Boards should at once take action, not in a feeble way that will admit of being ignored, but in a determined spirit that will brook no denial of an undoubted right. The whole oolony is fully acquainted with the circumstances -_o£ the caae, that the railways •in this province cost next to nothing to oonVruct in comparison with those of other provinces, and that there was no sham as to the necessity for them. Such cannot be said of those constructed anywhere else in the colony. As to goods traffio in the North Island there is none, or so little, that it is next door to it. The Governmentrely upon the people of this district altogether. This Bupineness they have made sure of, or they would not have dared to issue such a tariff, [so unfair to us, muoh lees have carried it into force. Far better for the province had there been no Canterbury members in the Government. Well might we exclaim—" Save us from our friends." Yours, &c, Fabmbb.