RAILWAY REGULATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 71, 19 March 1912, Page 5

RAILWAY REGULATION.

- COMBATING UNDER-STATE MEN IS BY SAWMILLERS. MODIFICATION PROMISED. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, March 18. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on the Hon. J. A. Millar to-day with reference to the recently gazetted special rate of charges for under-statements in consignment notes in respect of goods delivered by the railway. The deputation did not object to the imposition of the penalty in cases of fraud, but when a simple mistake was made by nil employee it was considered the penalty should not be imposed. The Minister in reply said the regulation was aimed at sawmillers, through whom the Department had lost a considerable amount of revenue, on account of mis-statements in 'consignments. When they found understatement of 1700 ft on one truck, it was time to take action. It was not intended (the regulation should apply ajl round, but only to sawmillers. I lie regulation was gazetted in accordance with the Act. The Department wasJtaking action against two huge sawmillers, and it was neccssaiy for the purpose of the action to gazette it. When he returned to Wellington he would look into the matter again with a view to modifying the regulation. The Hon. J. A. Millar leaves Dunedin to-morrow for Wellington.