RAILWAY TARIFF.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2612, 21 August 1882, Page 4

RAILWAY TARIFF.

A public meeting was held at Spring's Hotel, on Friday evening, to oonsider the present rate of charges on the Canterbury railways. The meeting was well attended. Mr John Bennie, president of the Ellosmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was voted to the chair, and in opening the meeting aaid he thought the people had substantial grievance to complain of with regard to high rates charged, and then quoted from American, N.B. Wales, and Viotorian reports to prove it. He then called on Mr Blustt to move the first resolution, Mr J. MoLachlan said, before the resolu-

tion was put, he would like to say a few words. He took exception to the wording of «> the advertisement, and said we should first decide that they were too high, and would like some better authority than Mr Becnie. Mr Bluett said Mr MoLaehlan was quite tight in his remarks, but the meeting was quite decided that the rates were too high, and considered the rates should be low enough to drive all traffic off the roads, and he had always done his best to get thorn lowered, and had spoke to our members about it on more than one occasion. He considered that Government should give the railways at least a twelve months' trial on a reduoed scale of charges, and then if they found it did not pay they could rovert baok to the old rates. Certainly they had got a reduotion last season, but that was not sufficient. He went on speaking at some length in favor of a 25 per cent, reduotion. He certainly did not believe in the wild statements made by members of the Farmers' Co-operative Company at their meeting. He then moved the following resolutions :—" That this meeting is of opinion that a reduotion of at least 25 per cent, could, with the prospect of satisfactory results, be made on the present nil oharges on stook, grain, and other agricultural produce, as well ns on the present passenger fares; and that on Wednesday a market train should ba run at single fares for the double journey, as on Saturdays." Seconded by Mr J. B. Campbell, who considered that the revenue would be considerably inoreased by a reduction in the rates of charges, espooislly passengers' rates. He hoped that this meeting would have some affect on the Government. Mr Bennie read a letter from Mr Green re rail charges on fork line from Doyleston to Ohristohurcb, which cost him 18s 9d per ton, and he could get it carted down for 15a. Mr John McLachlan said before the above resolution was put he would move the following amendment:—"That this meeting requests our representative in Parliament, in common with other Canterbury members, to bring beforo Government the necessity of arranging the railway tariff with a view of reductions where praotioable, without entailing a tax on the general public." Mr Osborne said he thought it very little good to ask our members to do anything for us. X Our member had told us that differential rates tvould not work on the railways, but it was now found that differential rates were Charged throughout New Zealand, and instead of haying the lowest rates on the Canterbury rails they were the highest. Mr Prankish begged to second Mr J, McLachlan's amendment.

Mr Browning gave an instance of 500 bricks ccsting bim in Ohristchuroh 19s, and rail charges to Dunsandei 17s 9i. The Chairman here put amendment and resolution to meeting, and deolared resolution carried. After some farther duoussion on the subisot. Mr Campbell moved—" That Mr Bluett's resolution be forwarded to the member, with a requeut that he confer with the other Canterbury members, with a view of bringing the resolution before the notice of Government, and to urge upon the Government to give effect thereto, and to give proposed resolution one year's trial." Seconded by Mr Geo. S'andry. Mr Wbitcombe moved, as an amendment — " That the words ' Canterbury members ' be made to read * New Zealand.' "

Seconded by Mr John MoLaohlan. Mr Campbell would not consent to the alteration.

The Chairman put the amendment ond resolution, and deolared the resolution carried. Mr Bluett propoied a vote of thanks to the chairman, whioh was carried unanimously.