CORN EXCHANGE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2570, 3 July 1882, Page 4

CORN EXCHANGE.

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAY TARIFF. I A special general meeting was held on Saturday afternoon of subscribers to tho Corn Exchange to discuss what stops should be taken to obtain a reduction of the present railway tariff. Mr W. H. Pcryman (chairman), presided. Twenty-four members wore present, including Mr McMillan, M.H.il. The Chairman spoko of the nucessity for backing np tho efforts of tha New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, who had issued "circulars stating that a reduction of the rates of freight charged on tho Canterbury lines for carriage of grain and colonial produce generally should bo made, in view of the comparatively large percentage returned by those lines, It was notorious that carriers successfully competed with tho railways on short distance routes within twenty miles of Christchurch. Tho farmers of Canterbury felt that their produoo was being taxed to compensate for unprofitable lines elsewhere. The rates of carriage on colonial produce should, the association considered, be about 3s a ton for the first twelve miles, and Id a ton per mile for each subsequent mils. _ The result would be—l2 miles, present tariff, 3j 10d|; proposed tariff, 3s; 102 miles, present, 13s 8d proposed, 10a GJ. Farmers loading' at platform stations were also at a disadvantage in the matter of trucks. Tho circuls.rs were signed by Mr O. Ensor, chairman of the Association’s directors. Ho (Mr Poryman) thought tho Chamber of Commerce was also deeply interested in this subject of railway tariff.

Mr E. H. Willis, of Southbridgo, absent through illness, wrote of what ho termed the railway 11 imposition." He agreed with tho tariff proposed by the Association, and hoped tho Corn Exchange would concur, and would invite tho co-operation of the Ohs.mber of Commerce. While in other countries the authorities sought to foster traffic by low charges, in New Zealand they stopped it by txceasive ones. Consignors were allowed a rebate of fii a ton for landing their goods, but were prevented from so doing by lack of truck?. Consignees were allowed a rebate for unloading goods, but the railway authorities up-country gave no notice of arrival, atd thus “did” the public. Mr Willis had paid a difference of from Is to Is 6i for tho same article in going from Dunsandel to Christchurch and from Christchurch to Dunsandel. The public wore charged 3d a mile first class for a passenger train, which was often, in fact nearly always, used as a goods train, and so delayed. Unceasing agitation was necss.Bary, and the various Parliamentary representatives should be made to vote for the necessary reduction, under penalty of not being re-elected. [Hear, hear, and laughtor.J Mr A. GK Howland wrote regarding freight to Timarn. A four-wheeled buggy, weighing 3awt, was rated at £2, and a two-wheeled cart, weighing sowt. at £1 10s. Newcastle coal was carried at 12s fid par ton, and native coal at 10(i 2d.

Mr Bnsor said he would like to see a qu.eetion asked in the House as to the profits on the railway during the grain season, which were avid to amount to qs much as 12i in the £. The association had referred to a system of differential rates, but, cu further consideration, he considered the allusion almost a matter for regret, as he did not think the Canterbury farmers wanted their grain carried more cheaply than Auckland grain, hut merely wanted a reduction. The fljx industry haying been started in Amberley district, an average of ton tonu a week had boon carried forty miles to Heathoote at (great damage to the roado. Regarding passenger traffic, at least the same facilities should be conceded on Wednesdays as on Saturdays. Cheats fares would develop traffic. Oa the Northern line one now paid more by rail than formerly by coach, and the cost of transit of wool to Lyttelton was dearer than in the did days, Mr E. L. Higgins, cf Oust, complained that the farmers 'had elected to the House men who had distinctly avowed their intention of not supporting the farmers’ efforts to obtain a reduction of the tariff. E'er example, Sir John Hall had stated at. Laeston that he could hold out no hopes of a change in this direction ; while a candidate who advocated tha change had been deliberately rejected. As to Canterbury not wishing to have her grain carried at lower rates than obtained in Auckland, that was the very thing Canterbury did want —[Hear, hear"] —seeing that her lines paid over 7 percent, on cost of construction. He had received a letter from an acquaintance in Wellington, a member of the House, that a strong feeling existed in favor of an allround reduction of probably cue-third. That would Involve, perhaps, a reduction in the railway revenue, but Q-overnmont would be juit as much justified in attempting to derive a revenue from roads as from railways. [Applause] Mr Higgins referred, ironically, to the beautiful study afforded by the railway tariff syttsm, and to its nice adjustment in regard to distances. Mr J. Milne, Lincoln road, considered that people would travel much more frequently if rates were cheaper, and advocated an adjustment, particularly of small parcels traffic." Mr J. Aulesbrook said he hud Inquired whether halt a dozen tins could not be tied up in canvas, the canvaa sewn round, and the goods forwarded by rail as goods in bags; and one of tho authorities had replied that he saw no restriction against this being done. The-freight to Port on one olats of goods, weighing 7Towts., was 2s lid ; the freight oa another class, weighing under ore ton, was 12i 61 per ton, or 6s 3d as compared with 2j lid. A revision of the tariff was needed.

Mr Alfred Saunders thought their efforts should b« confined to that direction in which the meeting, and the farmers of Canterbury wore particularly interested. It was true that Canterbury was injured and unjustly treated in being called on to pay the same rates of freight as elsewhere, yet they had to consider what it was feasible tc get done, rather than what ought to be done. Otherwise, there would bo arrayed against them the Otago, Auckland, Kelson, and Wellington liner, and all districts where the railways had been expensive. But, if the meeting went in for a reduction of the freight on grain they might appoint a small sub-committee who would point out to the House how one of the most important and most closely out industries was being unduly handicapped. On grain a profit* something like two-thirds was shown on the gross receipts ; on minerals and timber only one-fifth. It was desirable that an impression should be made during the present session to produce a tangible result by proper representations of the cost of carrying grain, the industry which must eventually pay the country's liabilities, if these lire ever to be paid at al(,

Mr Higgins said that the railways had coat leas here than in Otago, where grain wa? alao carried. Nothing short of an absolute reduction would be received. The greatest profit oif railways accrued from passenger traffic.

Mr Milne proposed—" That the House of Representatives be petitioned to reduce the charges generally on railways in this country for carriage of goods and for passenger traffio. Also, that this meeting is confident that no loss would accrue if a reduction of one-third the present charges were made, and that this would tend to am extended use of our railways, and give great relief to the producing community in exporting their produce.”

This was seconded by Mr Howland, and carried unanimously, nineteen gentlemen being present; and Mr J. W. Bawls, of Q-reendalo, took occasion to remark that the Government’s object should be to carry pro duce and pisfongera as cheaply as possibly, and not to derive profit therefrom. An allround reduction might be asked for. Storekeepers in places were obliged to use vans in place of railways for carriage of some goods. The Chairman said the secretary would draw up a petition, to bo laid on the table, for signature by farmers and foe transmission to members of Parliament as soon as practicable.

Mr D. O’Oallaghan, of Kaiapoi, proposed, and Mr Higgirs seconded —“That; tho Chamber of Commerce be asked to co-opornto with tho Corn Exchange in recommending a onothird reduction, and that that Chamber be sent a copy of the foregoing resolution.” This was carried.

In this connection Mr Saunders pointed out that there were some classes of goods—for instance, timber and mineral?—which it would be futile to ask Government to carry at a loss, as would bo the case if so large a reduction were agreed to. Mr J. E. Johnson said that a one-third reduction would imply carriage of timber from Invercargill at a lose. . On Mr Aulesbrook’s motion, seconded by Mr Milne, it won resolved —"That the chairman of the Corn Exchange be empowered to

sign tho patition on behalf of the members, and forward fame to Parliament.”

[lt may ba mentioned (hat the Exchange now numbers 140 members. Mr linsor wili be asked to tign on behalf of 830 members of the Farmers’ Association.]