RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 November 1924, Page 5

RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

FARMERS’ UNION VIEWS. 4BY TELKGB.APH —PUESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. Anomalies in connection with railway freight rates on articles of agricultural use were pointed out to the railway commissioners, Sir Sam Fay and Sir Vincent Raven, to-day on behalf of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and other producers’ organisations, by Mr. J. Gow, secretary to the Farmers’ Union. The first point made was in regard to freight rates on farm requirements. It was contended that the rates should be adjusted by the Railway Department, so as to eliminate motor opposition. The Union contends that the high freight upon fertilisers was tending to retard production. The rates on purebred stock and eggs were rather high, and the Poultry Association asked that eggs should be carried on express trains at freight rates. Sir Sam Fay said it was impossible to satisfy everyone in the matter of freight charges. The object of every classification list was to place the burden of rates upon those who could afford to pay. Witness replied that there was a protective tariff on imported sheep dip, etc., but the very man who could, least afford to pay had to do so. Sir Sam Fay said they had had a good deal of experience upon that question in Australia, where it was probably more pronounced and more acute than in Ne.w Zealand. It was more a question of State policy than of railway rates, arid he admitted it was a difficult problem to deal with. The Commission would look into the matter. Witness, in reply to Sir Sam Fay, said the Union would sooner see the rates on wool increased and those on fertilisers taken off. The Union also considered that the freights on imported timber should be the same as on local timber. Another improvement Sl, ggested was better facilities for trucking grain.