The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1924. OVERLAND FREIGHT'S.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1924. OVERLAND FREIGHT'S.

TTir discussion at the Greymouth Harbor Board meeting this week regarding overland Heights should remind the community of the possibilities ot advantages to be gained when the railways and sea carriage are to be brought into direct competition. Now that tne Railway Department is on tile eve ot taking over the through line, by acquiring tin- full control of the Arthur’s .Pass tunnel traffic, the time is opportune to turn some attention to the possibilities of changes which will bo of paramount hem-lit to the Coast ill general and West land in particular. It was mentioned by olio member id the Board that timber was going to be carried by rail to Dunedin in competition with sea-borne transport. This is important, as it means all the intervening districts will he tapped also, anil new markets will open up for the Coast- timber. In the past, that territory has been served principally from .Southland, but if Westland can capture some of the trade, the advantage will not go amiss to the industry on this side of He range. In the same way, commodities from as far south as Dunedin can ho railed this way more readily than transported by sea. The steamer service is not daily- perhaps only fortnightly—no; w ill the boats deliver the goods with, the .same celerity that the railway It is of value very often to have quick delivery, and smaller quantities uf goods can be acquired mole economically by rail than by boat, because tile fenner lias facilities for frequent supplies if such are needed in emergency. As lo rail freights, it is evid-

ent that on the present tariff the seaborne trade affecting many commodities is cheaper than the railway. But the railway tariff is to be revised in any ease, and the moment seems opportune to press for a revision which will place the Stale-owned transport in a position no le.-s inferior to the privately owned companies operating hv sea. Tin. possibilities of trade development east and west are governed only by tlie wisdom of the management- directing tlie railways. There is the line in position, in daily use, with a staff and plant equal to a 2-1 hour daily service. It becomes a question of utilising that installation to the best and fullest advantage so that tlie section will be fully revenue earning. The costly nature of the construction renders it all the more obligatory on those in authority to see that the line is used to the fullest earning capacity. The railway taps a new territory and fresh markets, and the country and the markets should be studied on t-lieir merits and their ability not only to supply trade for the railways, hut by the judicious use of the railways to assist in the development of the newly-tappeil regions. On the Coast for long years, the people have been at the mercy of the shipping companies. Now has come the opportunity to revise tariffs to secure trade. The companies will do so where they can to capture freight from the railways, and the railway management should lie alert equally to make the most of the newly-found opportunity to earn further income. The valuo of this competition to the community is obvious and the attention suggested should ho encouraged in every way possii.de. If will take some time to realise t tic- benefits of the railway, but cheaper freights will help in that direction quicker than anything else.