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Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 78, 18 July 1877, Page 2

The fabled Upas tree .has ceased to cast its shadow upon our Railways. Mr Passmore has evanished from the scene, and the incubus of heavy charges has gone with him. This place, like many other struggling townships has long had its commerce fettered by a scale of railway charges that m some instances have almost amounted to a prohibition. .The relief from this state of: things has come suddenly, and m its degree, unexpectedly. The Government are trying an experiment that they have long ago been advised to try. They are trying whether -a . scale of freightage that will be just to the people will not also be just to themselves.- Of course the community will feel m some degree the benefit of this change at once. • The timber trade is reviving, and will revive, and the storekeeper can afford to supplement the amount of % his freight bill wi6k an approving smile. But the Public Works Department will not be immediately benefited. The cash returns from the railways will suffer a decrease for some time to come. The Government must look away from the dullest season of the year, and the several trade depressors that are now operating to a not distant future if they would see m their own and the people's experience the full benefit of the equitable concessions they have now made. The harmonious working of the governing and governed interests will, m so fac as they are affected by the. railway tariff, be ensnred. If the generosity of the Government^is backed up by a modicum of patience, its reward is sure.