The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, NOV. 27th. 1923. EAST AND WEST FREIGHTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, NOV. 27th. 1923. EAST AND WEST FREIGHTS.

In Canterhury a very decided move- | nient is in progress from the improvement of railway freights on the Mid-

land service. The request applies in particular to general merchandise which would be- possible* by a. more mlima re trade* from east to west. The* action is prompted for tw*> reasons. Fiist, to take advantage of the traction available in tb*..- empty coal and timber trucks returning to the Coast ; and second, to assure a greater proportion of the trading relations of the Coast with Canterbury. ’1 be point can be appreciated on this side or the ranges, because it is of value nationally if the railways can earn mine without any increase in expenditure* to do so. A hack loading rate would give more revenue, with little increased outlay, for the reason that the trucks must be brought back, and there would be an advantage in railing them full, rather than empty. There is also the consideration. to be home in mind that lower freights would mean cheaper commodities to the consuming public, so that on this side of the range there would be an advantage more or less direct if the Canterbury agitation succeeds. More tiade and greater intercourse east and west will be factors in adding to the prosperity of the Const, and any action in that direction, or tending to improve the trading facilities, should he welcomed. However, the Coast does not appear to be unanimous on ibis point. At Grcymouth. for instance, there is something of a set against any railway concessions to Const traffic coining west. This appears to be very short-sighted and is not founded on a fair outlook of the position. It would appear that the opposition referred to is prompted by trading jealousies anil a desire to conserve the shipping trade for tire port of Grey. Both these reasons are of selfish origin. The first in regard to trade rivalry is a matter for competition in any ease, and the public who have to pay all the time, will prefer certainly to see railway freights as low a; possible, consistent with sound linaneial management. The public are not likely to oppose any move for reduced railway freights, however much interested business people may work in that directum. tYitli regard to consul ring the trade of the port of (ireymoutli, tli.il is idle so far as railway traffic throng!: the tunnel is con cos lied. It has been regarded always as a certainty that with the opening of through railway connection with the South Island, the Milne of tire port of Grey for shipping must ho depreciated very eoiisidcrahly. T hat has * nine to pass, and the change is an *■'••01)01111'' gain to all concerned, if \i*'W"d in the right light, instead ol trying lo block progress. By a nunc intimatc trade eonnei-tiou with Canterbury and tin - Hast Coast, it would be hotter for those directing the tun* of the Grey harbor, to centre their li' tivii ies c u North 1 trade. Phis .-mid bo dene along dilforent Line.*. and with the progress which would llow ill heller times would return for siuping fortunes at Greymoutti. But il is very impolitic to lake up an attitude of opposition to any movement calculated to give the district a better railway service with tile outside markets now s*> directly tapped by rail. The Coast needs now as helorv. all the assistanee it can get. and through the 'Tianiic! of cheaper commodities am! !?< i.tct uau-.i'Crt facilities gi"*atci prosperity will tl'-w into tie district. It is agreed that the trade is increasing by reason of the railway connection. Indeed that win inevitable, and the point of view should be to encourage that improvement by evey means in our power, ami not seek - to retard any friendly action, which would he helpful to still better prices.