NEW RAILWAY TARIFF

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1925, Page 1

NEW RAILWAY TARIFF

RATES ON MEAT AND STOCK. [llY TIJLEGKAI’JI —I’EIl I>KESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. August 11. In his statement showing the final decision of the new railway tariff ihe Minister of Railways, dealing with freights on meat and live stock, says: —"Tl;e board’s proposals in connection with rales on frozen meat involved the removal of llie concession ol 2-> per cent on prime frozen heel and of llie exemption of 31) per cent Irom the ■III per cent increase that was made in the railways rates during the war and post-war periods. 11 was pointed out. however, by the -Beat Board and other representatives ol the Ireozing industry l hat. this unuld have a wry distilling died on the industry, particularly as affecting inland freezing works. It was emphasised that the relation of rates on live stuck to those on dead meat already placed these works iu- some disadvantage, and il was urged that if this handicap was increased, as proposed in the new tariff', it would practically mean the closing down of a number of these works. It was generally agreed, however, that the meat producing industry, except possibly those branches of it connected with frozen heel and pork, was in a position to make an increased contribution to the railway revenue, and alter lull discussions an arrangement was arrived at whereby rates on livestock should be increased by 15 per cent. Bigs wore expected from this increase, as it was urged that the development of the pig industry involved very groat possibilities from a Dominion point ol view, as there was no reason why this industry as a couutoipart to the dairy industry, should not ultimately develop into a very valu"ll was urged that owing to keen competition (Irom the Argentine particularly) the beef industry, which was a very essential one to the Dominion, was not in a position to bear any increased charges, and that it required all the assistance that could be given if. The concession that lias hitherto been allowed only on prime beef lias been extended to cover all beef for export, and rates on lroz.cn mutton. lamb and pork have been retained at practically their old level. ••Even with the proposed increase the rates on live stock in the Dominion will still compare more than lavoiirably with those in operation in the Australian States, in this case also increased revenue from the new proposals is estimated to be approximately the same as would have been received under the hoard’s original proposals.”