RAILWAY TARIFF REVISION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2611, 26 July 1923, Page 2

RAILWAY TARIFF REVISION

Wellington Last Night. Mr Masters recently asked the Minister of Railways when the railway tariff revision might be expected. Mr Coates has replied as follows : "It has long been the established policy to charge many articles manufactured in New Zealand at a lower rate than similar articles of foreign manufacture. This policy was adopted for the purpose of encouraging the establishment of local industries in the country. It is obvious that where goods of any kind have to he transported by railway, or otherwise, from cities to country districts, the cost of transport to the country residents is inevitably more than that paid in eiies to country districts, the cost oi' transport to the country residents is inevitably more than that paid in cities which are adjacent to ports. Transport charges are, however, governed by the distance the article has to be carried, and the services performed in connection with the transportation. The revision of the railway tariff is now in hand. The extent to which rates can be altered must, of course, be governed by the state of the railway and other finances, and it is hoped a final decision will be arrived at shortly as to the extent to which reductions can be made on the existing charges.