The Freight on Grain.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6713, 4 June 1900, Page 4

The Freight on Grain.

:. Mr J. G. Wilson has sent the followwwiatter to the Hon. J. G. Ward, WelPrile^°ar? ear .bir- 1 be X to bring ana *ot gJLnotice the extremely low on ? a«& if am at tbe Present moment, Dn../*'^^** in CODBisering concessions ahiy redue#U rou would consider - tarn. m j__^_^-^______________\ a lower WMMmWMKK^^^^^Hvß^oi wheat a payable" buo, Dvi, as you are well aware, wheat tor export is at the lowest ebb. There is a movement in this neighbourhood of a number of farmers who are shipping their wheat. It costs \wt about 3d a bushel to put it on bosrd ship, with freight, tarpaulin, and wharfage. Threshing comes to another 3d, so that with wheat at 2s 2d or 2s Id there is a very small amount coming" to the fa-mer. We have had several meetings on the subject, and I write to you as chairman of thess meetings, and not in a private capacity. If you coifld see your way for this grain season's shipment to charge half ratea for shipment I am sure you would be giving a well deserved concession, and I place it before you Id tbe hope tbat ycu will give us a favorable answer. Whilst on the subject of railways, I should also like to bring under your notice the following:—Wa have three large sales weekly in this neighborhood—Wanganui Wednesday, Palmerston North Thursday, and Feilding Friday. I need not remind you of the necessity of a farmer to attend sales. He must be up in the prices of stock aud x ". grain and watch the trend of the markets. ~ * -"obably he finds it easier to transact his boßinesn 0 n one of these days, being sure of meeting others there, or "he may fas I know he often does) make arrangements to meet others on these days. In the mercantile community I see you have granted several concessions, but I do not note (from the talegraphic summary) a ly to the farmer. Might I ask on their t- behalf in this neighborhood that special sale tickets be issued, having terminus on aboye day of week at each town where the sale is to be held ; return for date of issue, or next Dooming, «nly. You would be conferring "a. considerable boon on the farmers if some such arrange--ment were made. And if' only you would accelerate the morning afifl evening services (which those attending sales have to travel by) to something of a reasonable pace you would gain the general thanks of the district.-1 Have »he honor to be yours obediently, JajJes^ G. Wilson.