NO REDUCTION IN RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3996, 12 September 1929, Page 2

NO REDUCTION IN RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

MINISTER'S REPLY TO HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN.

The folloAving letter has been received by Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., (chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board) from the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Railways, re special raihvay freights:—

“With reference to the intervieAV which Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., and you had with the General Manager of Railways regarding the question of the institution of special rates from Foxton to Palmerston North and |Feilding, 1 desire to say that the matter has been carefully considered but it has been concluded that the circumstances do not justify the institution of such rates; The special rates operating from Wanganui have been made to meet special circumstances existing in regard to the transport of goods through that port. Similar circumstances do not exist at Foxton and Ave -would not therefore be justified in instituting special rates from the latter place in the absence of those circumstances.

“As regards the question of Foxton as a part of entry for goods to Palmerston North I Avould point out that at present the total charges on goods of classes A. B, C, and D through Foxton are cheaper than through Wanganui and it can scarcely be contended that the failure of Foxton to obtain the trade is due to the operation of any special rate applying to Wanganui. “I regiret that I am unable to meet the request that has been made in regard to the special rates from Foxton.”

Discussing the above letter at Tuesday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Chambolr of (Commerce, the chairman (Mr. M.\ H. Oram) considered the reply of the Minister was not satisfactory. He stated there wore circumstances which existed at Wanganui and not at Foxton, but -lie carefully omitted to say Avhat those circumstances Avere. The rates from Foxton Avere cheaper, naturally, because of the shorter distance. The Harbour Board’s complaint Avas that tbein' Avas a special rate from Wanganui Avorking against Foxton. ' & The letter Avas received.