Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant In verite. THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1884. THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 97, 20 March 1884, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant In verite. THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1884. THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

Dniyersal dissatisfaction seems to prevail all over the Colony, and especially m the Middle Island, m consequence of the increased railway tariff, more particularly as affecting the conveyance of grain., Tlie Asliburton Guardian gives the following instance of how it will operate .:—*" Taking the distance from Asliburton to L ttelton, 59 mile*, we find that under the old regime the cl.ai'ge for the transit of a ton of grain was 7s 7d, while by the new tariff it will cost 10s 1 Id, or equal to one penny upon every bushel. This, it need scarcely be said, is "a' very serious increase, especially as this season the price of grain promises to. rule unusually low. In round numbers we may-put down the yield m the Ashburton Oduiity this year at 3,000,000 bushels, so., ( that.: the extra, penny dcv manded for sending it by rail will amount to £12,500." The'Ashburton Guardian infers that the increase will mainly affect the South Island, wliich it appears to think will contribute' by far: the heavier proportion of the anticipated addition to .the railway revenue of ,£150«000; We can assure our contemporary that the North Island objects 1 equally strongly to the. increased tariff. In support of our statement wo may oite the fact thai- a pnbllo meeting is convened for to-morrow evening at Wanganui, "for the purpose of considering the effect of the recent increase of railway rates on the trade and commerce of the district." 'We think the increase m tariff is impolitic, and calculated to press heavily on a number of industries ~ and individuals, and will directly and indirectly tend to retard the progress of the Colon y. Just when depression exists everywhere, and prices for all products are at the lowest, to raise the

of c-'MivityiwiOit i^ a mkiU ii'iititjoi'i'i't vt.iji, iiii<l iiMo Uiui. will o-i'ise miivei'dal di^iLWaot-i-iH. Th" tJ;iutt»i'bury Cliambi'i' uf Comuiciw h pvo'osling again.si !ho ineroasoJ tariff, and cnn.-ideiiiig the ad visibility of Itringing prcsdUro ;o bi!;u - to induce the Govern- > v niciu to aliandou it. We fear all uiH;i.siires (o ensure roforin m th^ proposed direction will have to begin at the beginning, by oflV-ctinj a transfer of the manao-ement of our railways to an independent and non- political hoard, and thereby secure m course of time efficient, .railway administration and an equitable tariff. It is now patent to all thatwhile the rail wuvs are under the control, of the Government, their manage'neiit will never give satisfaction to the public, who have hud lo pay so heavily for their construction and maintenance.