MANAWATU RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 444, 29 December 1908, Page 3

MANAWATU RAILWAY.

Criticism and a Reply

The Cbrischurch Press takes the Railway Department to task on the fact that freights on the Manavvalii line are now higher than they were when the line was owned by the company. The department points out in reply that when the railway became a portion of the State system, the special tariff that had been in operation on the company’s line in competition with sea traffic to Foxton and with the Government railway from Foxton to destination, also With the Government line via Wairarapa, automatically ceased from the date of taking over the line the Government tariff automatically applied. Under the company’s regime certain classes of merchandise which are in the higher classification under the Government scale of charges were, for competitive purposes, placed in a low classification when conveyed over the company’s line between Wellington and Longburn, but immediately the goods reached Longburn they became subject to the charges under the Government classification. Kerosene, for instance, which if classified by the Government as class A was carried by the company at class D rates between Longburn and Wellington. Wines and spirits in cases were carried at class C rates, instead of class A by the Government. These differences in charges were made purely for competitive purposes against the sea traffic and the Government railway. If any of the articles referred to were consigned, say, from Paekakariki to Plimmerton ■ both stations on the company’s line, they would have been charged as class A, because there was no competition. From yth December, kerosene and. all other goods which had enjoyed a special rate under the company’s regime pay the ordinary Government classified rates charged on other portions of the Government system where no competition has to be contended with. To phow how the company’s rates varied, it was pointed out that goods charged under class A rates, when consigned from Wellington to Palmerston North paid for the journey Wellington to Longburn 41s per ton ; to Feildiug, 37s 6d per ton; to Greatford, 32s 6d per ton ;to Martou, 30s per ton; beyond Marton, 29s 3d per ton. Therefore the company charged, for goods of class A, rates varying from 41s to 29s 3d per ton, according; to the distance the goods had to be carried over the Government line from Longburn. Under the Government goods of class A consigned from Wellington to Longburn pay the ordinary Government class A rate, irrespective of their ultimate destination. The above I charging class A goods IvvasTapplied by the company to classes B, C, and D goods. Class D paid rates which varied from 20s I 6d to 14s gd per ton, according to he distance they had to travel over he'Government railway, beyond Lotigburn.x The'ManWatu railway, it was further' out, bad been acquired by : at a larie andLbad %n m Government rail'to charges and widenL.tlib|:; l not reasoor e benefit/of the comt accruing Siting aind f'fesrjlt'T)f ,-tKg