A NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 74, 17 May 1881, Page 2

A NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

——————^^ — — — — — We hear on the best .authority that a new railway tariff will shortly be gazetted. It is much needed, and if it is based ou common sense and a desire to increase the traffic on the lines*, will result not only in greater public convenience but also in larger revenues ; for experience with regard to telegraphs, postal services, &c, proves that large revenues are made, not by high charges, but by low charges and increased work. It is so with the railways. We would suggest that the following reductions should be made in the new tn-iff: -1 Matelial intended for public works, such is roads, harbor works, Sec, should bo carried at the lowest remunerative rate. To charge high rates for hauling gravel for roadinaking purposes, is simply robbing Peter to pay Paul ; it is really retarding the progress and development of districts not possessed of the means of making good roads. 2. The timber tariff should be so revised as to arrange for the freight on light and cheap timbers being mado smaller than that on heavy woods ; also, lough and balk timber should be carried for less than boards and .scantlings. Another suggestion we would make is that the minimum quantity of palings, shingles, posts, rails, ifcc, should be lowered. All those are charged lor at per truck.aud consequently settlers requiring small quantities from the inland districts are compelled either to pay a ridiculously high freight or to go without them. Of com-se we would not expect the Railway Department to put on a truck to bring down a dozen bundles of pailings or fifty popts. The matter might be done in another way, viz., by lowering the minimum for the articles mentioned to about one-third of the present quantity, and by bringing the orders along the line say twice, or even once, each week. One further suggestion we would make is that the rates for hauling cattle should be, if possible, lowered. As will be seen by a paragraph in another column it is «[uite possible some of the Wellington cattle dealers will shortly begin having their stock brought from Waverley to Foxton per railway. This would be a most lucrative source of traffic, if once opened up. To attract it to the line, the rates should be lowered to such a degree as to make it profitable to the dealers to utilise the railway. Of course much more might be said ou the general question of the railway tariff, but we have dealt with it simp y from a local point of view.