REDUCTION OE RAILWAY FARES.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 252, 4 May 1866, Page 2

REDUCTION OE RAILWAY FARES.

Mr ARMSTRONG moved a reduction of the fares on that portion of the Northern Railway now in • operation. In moving this resolution the hon. member submitted a scale "which "he deemed it- desirable to adopt. He argued strongly that "a considerable reduction on present charges was -desirable. The North Road was in a wretched state, in fact it was uttenly dangerous to be traversed, and yet the fares were so, high that the settlers refused to use the' railway. He believed that low fares would jsrove to be the most profitable to the Government, and give satisfaction to the settlers. Low fares had always proved beneficial to railway proprietors from the increased traffic they created. He believed this would be the effect of the adoption of his resolution here. Mr STUART seconded the motion. He hacl some experience; of the working ofthe Northern line. It was defective, and much improvement might be made. He was strongly in favor of a reduction of. the ...fares, believing, that would be iadyantageous in a pecuniary point, and of • great advantage to the Northern settlers, • who had now to wade through the great North canal— miscalled road — with their produce, or pay what they deemed an excessive charge for railway accommodation. • l ' • • The PROVINCIAL TREASURER said it was not his intention to oppose, but he must point out that the Northern settlers had a great advantage over the Eastern. The railway presented advari- ! tages that ought to be embraced. He read a communication from 'the Railway Clerk, which went to show that the late ■reduction in the fares had hot had the .effect of increasing the traffic and revenue iof the line in the manner in which preivious speakers appeared" to think a still 'further reduction would do. He thought ■ the motion somewhat premature. Mr WOOD supported the principle of the motion, but did hot * consider that it should be dealt with in the way proposed. The change desired required to be carefully considered, and to come to a wise conclusion more deliberation should be given than could be given at that time. : He would suggest that the matter be referred to a select committee ; this would ; cause the question to be more freely discussed, and no doubt a more satisfactory conclusion arrived at than if pressed to a 'decision at the present time.*! Mr LUMSDEN opposed the motion, Considering it was not the right time for it to be discussed; the question of leasing •the railways was to Jbe brought forward, ■and, until that was disposed of, he considered a, debate upon the motion impolitic. ... ■ Mr JOHNSON did not think short ; lines "could be expected to pay. He had j known:lines at home that had feeders in; • every direction, wr. ich were very little >used by farmers living within a few miles of the terminus. • Mr CUTHBERTSON was in favor of ■the matter being sent to a committee. Ho : considered it? would, be a mistake to press ' it at the present time. The aim of the Government was to make it beneficial to 7the_public, and no doubt would-be ready to . adopt auy legitimate means to make it more valued by the settlers. But !he thought; it waf a subject for a committee's consideration. - *•* Mr T. M- CLERIC moved that a committee be appdinted, consisting of Messrs Armstrong, Stuart, Lumsden and the mover, to consider and report upon the desirability of reducing the fares of the Oreti Railway. Mr ARMSTRONG having explained that the motion was not brought forward in a dictorial spirit, but simply as a sugges tion for the consideration of the Govern** ment, the motion was put and carried.