DEFRAUDING THE RAILWAY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 223, 19 March 1912, Page 5

DEFRAUDING THE RAILWAY

ACTIONS AGAINST SAWMILLERS. ' By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. A deputation from the Chamber oi 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 to goods delivered by the railway. The deputation did not I object to the imposition of the penalty in cases of fraud, but when a simple mis- j take was made by an 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 oni account of mis-statements in consignments. When they found under statement of 1700 ft on one truck, it was time to take action. It was not intended the regulation should apply all round, but only to sawmillersi. The regulation was- gazetted in accordance with the Act. The Department was taking action against two large sawmillers, and it was necessary 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.