CONVEYANCE OF ROAD METAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3962, 29 June 1929, Page 2

CONVEYANCE OF ROAD METAL

NO FURTHER RAILWAY . CONCESSION. During the occasion of the Hon. E. A. Ransom’s (Minister of Public Works ) brief visit to Foxton, the Mayor (Mr. Perreau) interviewed him regarding railway charges on metal consigned to the Foxton Borough Council. On his return to Wellington, the 'Minister submitted the (matter for consideration of the Hon. Minister of Railways, it being one for his attention. The Hon. Mr. Ransom has forwarded the reply he received from the Hon. Mr. Taverner to Mg. J. Linklater, M.P., which reads as follows:-^

“When the concession rate granted on this material was first placed in the Railway tariff many years ago, it was done with a view to assisting the development of loading in the country. Although at the time referred to the special rate was justified, the conditions, both in regard to transport and the development of the country, have materially altered, necessitating u careful review of the rates that weii-e in existence prior t-o August, 1925, since when the present rates have obtained. “It is, I believe, fairly well known that the rail freights on metal prior to the date referred to resulted in a heavy annual financial loss to the Department and it wa» with the intention of reducing this loss that the existing rates were established. Even now, I am advised, the rate on metal is not economically sound from the Department’s point of view, and it is not 'possible in the present state of the Department’s finances to sanction any reduction. “The position in regard to the scarcity of m'etal is not, I understand, peculiar to the Foxton district, many other parts of the North Island being similarly placed in this respect and were I to accede to the request- of the Foxton Borough Couricil, I would immediately be faced with similar 'requests from other localities having- equal claims.

“In view of the position as outlined herein, I very much regret that I cannot, for the present, at least, hold out any hope of the rates on road metal being revised as desired in the representations made to you.”