Railway Charges.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1922, Page 3

Railway Charges.

ON IMPORTED TIMBER. CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. A deputation from the New Zealand Counties Association waited on the General Manager of Railways (Mr R. AV. McVilly), to urge upon him the desirability of making the freight charges on Austrlnian timber the same as those on New Zealand timber. It was pointed out thnt. the Austral, ian timber was absolutely essential for bridge work and for poles for hydroelectric services and that the conditions which existed when the rate and a half tariff was imposed, did not now obtain. It was also urged that when the tariff alterations arc being made special consideration should be given to those classes of goods on which ferights are too high. The deputation pointed on that motor lorries are able to undercut the railway rates, to the detriment of the railway revenue, causing enormous loss to the local bodies whose roads were being cut to pieces. Mr McVilly gave a sympathetic reply in regard to freights on Australian timber, and explained the great difficulties tlie railways were working under owing to the very great increase in working and other costs. He promised that every consideration would be given to the representation of the deputation during the progress of the tariff adjustments now in hand.