THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2600, 7 August 1882, Page 3

THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

A meeting wa* held at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday at the Corn Exchange, convened by the Chairman of the Farmers’ Cooperative Association and the Corn Exchange, to consider the action of the Canterbury members in respect to the railway tariff charges for transit of grain and other farm produce. There was a fair attendance, and Mr Ensor, Chairman of the N.Z. Farmers’ Cooperative Association, occupied the chair. The Chairman said that the object of the meeting was to consider the action of the Canterbury members with regard to the reduction of the rates on grain, &s. Whilst some of the members were thoroughly in earnest in the matter others were, as hil friend Mr Higgins would say, cajoled by the Government. The Government had, in reply to Mr Ivess, stated that they intended to consider the matter during the recess. It was well known that the railways in Canterbury paid at least 7 per cent, on the cost of construction, and Mr Pearson had worked out a calculation by which it appeared that the Canterbury railways during the grain season received 12s in the £ for carriage, or double what wa* paid elsewhere. A great many of the farmer* in Canterbury were growing grain, and he thought that the Government, instead of taxing them for the benefit of political railways ought to reduce the cost for carrying grain. He was glad to find that the petitions sent from Canterbury had been referred to the House as a question of public policy, because that gave them an opportunity of obtaining justice. The railways in Canterbury were, they knew, managed in a moat illiberal and cheeseparing way, and they knew also that in many instances the farmers, instead of endeavoring to use the railways as much as possible tried to do without them. He felt it was incumbent on the Government to reduce the fares and tariff, and he thought that the Government who would be bold enough to introduce a reduction would do not only a benefit to the farming community, but also to the public at large, because the railway would be used far more than they were now. He trusted that meeting* would be held in all the centres of Canterbury, and that resolutions would bo passed so as to show their members that they need not come back until they had secured some concession from the Government in this matter. He would now call upon Mr Higgins to move the first resolution.

Mr Higgins moved—“ That, in the opinion of this meeting, the country members trill not be doing justice to their constituents unless they use every means in their powerto get the present high tariff on farm produce reduced, and that the matter shall not be left till the recess.” Ho felt that the only chance they had of obtaining a concession in this matter, because it was only whilst Parliament was in session that the persistent advocacy of their members could be of any nee. 8o soon as the fear of losing their majority was removed from the Ministry of the'day they would find that their chance of obtaining a concession of rates was but small. It had been said that no Government could introduce differential rates, but he wished to point out that the farmers were not called upon to devise the scheme, but the Treasurer. He contended that if a reduction was made as requested it wonld be followed by a general benefit to the community. The way for their representatives to get what was wanted was to say—“ Ton must bring about this reduction, or we shall vote against you.” [Hear, hear.] This was the only way to bring pressure to bear. Let the farmers say to their representatives that unless they gave the Government to understand that if they did not make the reduction they should vote against them they need not return to their constituents. [Hear, hear.] This was a very bold course, and perhaps it might be objected that it was interfering with the right of private judgment. But the members were supposed in the first instance to represent the wishes of the majority of their constituents. If they did not, then they ought to give way to others.

Mr Bruce seconded the motion, and contended that the reduction in'.fares and carriage of grain would increase the traffic on the lines very considerably, and, through running at a reduced rate, the Government would find that the revenue would increase. He hoped that the farmers would rouse themselves, and make a demand on the Government. The time had gone by for requisitions to the Government, They must now demand these concessions from the Government and get them. [Hear, hear.] The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Peryman moved the next resolution, viz.—“ That farmers be requested to hold meetings in all the country districts, in order to show their local members the strong feeling of their constituencies on the matter."_lt was useless to send petitions to Wellington, because they were either treated cavalierly or returned to them because they were written on two pieces of paper. The farmers were the largest employers of the railway in the colony, and he would just give them a few figures on the matter of the extent to which the farmers of Christchurch employed the railway. From figures issued by the Harbor Board, he found that during the year 143,813 sacks of grain had been exported coastwise, and 723,531 to the United Kingdom, making a total of 3,469,396 bushels, which, at 2d per bushel, meant something like £30,000 revenue from this alone. He therefore asked the farmers to go to the Government; and as a right demand that concessions should be made to the extent they wanted. If they did not, then the farmers should put the Government out and place another one in. [Hear, hear,] There was no use asking for justice; they must now demand from the Government that the farmers should be fairly treated. He had pleasure in proposing the resolution, and he hoped the farmers throughout the country would join together and make the Government give them a fair and equitable reduction. [Hear, hear,] Mr Sawle seconded the motion.

Mr Higgins quoted from the speech of Sir John Hall at Lsoston, in which he dated that reductions would be made in the tariff which would be found to be of substantial benefit to the farmer. But he was unable to see any reduction in the charge for carrying the grain, and he hoped that farmers would not relax their efforts until they got what they wanted, _ Mr McLachlan said that he did not think the meeting should swallow such resolutions as those now proposed. They had a good Government, and one deserving the confidence of the people. He, as a farmer, thought that one-third was too much to ask the Government to reduce. If they got the present Government out on tho grain question it would be a very bad thing, because they might have Sir George Grey back in power with a land tax. He was of opinion that the resolutions were too sweeping altogether. Mr Peryman said that Mr McLachlan seemed to be in great favor with the Government, aB he had been able to get the name of Doyleoton altered to Cheddar. [Laughter!. Mr Moßeth pointed out that the high rate on the carriage of sheep was also a very great grievance, Mr Hayden, in the course of his remarks, expressed his conviction that unless the county members stonewalled every Government measure they would not get any reduction of tariff. It was a saving to farmers to use their teams instead of the railway. He thought that they ought to request their members to stonewall any Government measure unless the rates were reduced. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Higgins suggested that the resolutions should be forwarded to the Canterbury members, . . _ Mr Bruce moved—“ That copies of the resolutions be forwarded to the Canterbury members now in 'Wellington.’’ Mr Hayden seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr J. Hurae said that the farmers in Canterbury were paying two-thirds more for carriage of stock and personal carriage than in the other colonies. Mr Henderson said there was another sub. jeot which interested farmers, and that was direct steam communication with England. If, as Mr Coster had said at the recent meeting of the New Zealand Shipping Company, £IO,OOO would be sufficient to give as a bonus, the Government ought to be moved to do it, even if it cost double that amount. This would be very interesting to them as it affected the frozen meat ind ‘"v, which was now assuming large proportif steamers oould call hero once a month, <£e away cargoes of frozen sheep it wool. a vary largo and profitable trade. hop td the farmers would consider this matter. (Hear, hear.) A vote of thanks to the chairman dosed the meeting.