RAILAGE ON HEMP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2171, 2 September 1920, Page 3

RAILAGE ON HEMP.

The following telegram In reply to a request that the proposed increase in the railway rates on hem)) should be reconsidered has been received by the New Zealand Haxmillers' Association, from the Hon. W. E. Massey, Minister for Railways; ■ —“Your telegram re railway rates on hemp received, I will go into this matter with my responsible officers, and a further reply will give you iu due course. A similar telegram has also been received by the local Chamber of Commerce.

In the ITon-e on Tuesday, Mr J. A. Nash. M.P., asked the Prime Minister if he would have the above question looked into. Ho stated that under the recent revision the freight, on hemp had been increased, and the article had been removed from Class E to Class I). The present price obtained for the product was not what it should be, and the increased railway tariff would prove an additional hardship to the llaxmillors. In ease of, say, a mil! tit Shannon, which was (»!) miles from 'Wellington, the increased freight would amount to ,Cl. 0s lid per ton. The freight under the old I a rill under Class E for 100 miles was Os 8d plus 20 per cent., hut to-day it had been increased to 2(is (id plus 20. per cent. Some of I lie mills in New Zealand had to rail their products 150 miles, and the railway increase added to increased wages and the additiohal cost of coal, would make it very much harder for the millers. The market for hemp was very limited at present, and the result would lie (hat some of the mills would have to close down. The present price for high fair was ,C 33, and with the increases referred to there would be no prolil. He hoped that the increased freight would be reconsidered. The Prime Minister, in replying, stated that he would lie very pleased to look into the matter at once.

and a-ked the questioner to place it on Hie order paper so that Inmight have Hie full details before him. He pointed out that, owing to Hie recent increase- granted to Hie employees, it was neecs.sa.ry In make an,advance in all charges, and that they had endeavoured to guard the interests of all industries. He avou ld, however, give Hie mailer his attention as soon as possible.