THE RAILWAY CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1918, Page 5

THE RAILWAY CHARGES.

STRONG CRITICISM AT ELTHAM. A special meeting of the Council of the Eltham Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday- considered the action of the railway Departent in instituting fresh charges between the boat and the wharf on merchandise coming into the ports of Railway Department in instituting fresh Argus). Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M. P., said that he had discussed the matter with the Hon. Mr. Herries, Minister for Railways, •who said that the matter was new to him and he would have an immediate inquiry made. Mr. Wilkinson also said that the action of the Railway Department was outrageous, the charges levied were quite unwarranted, and a vigorous protest should be made by all Chambers of Commerce and business people. The Railway Department was rapidly becoming a Chinese puzzle, and the Department an oppressor of the people, The cost of living had been largely added to by the exactions levied. There had been an original increase of 10 per cent. then a second 10 per cent, over all, and now heavy terminal charges are being minflicted at the ports serving our province. As an instance of excessive freight rates by sea and rail he mentioned on one line of goods manufactured in New Zealand the total charge from Auckland to Eltham, including sea freight, amounted to over 70 per cent. of the wholesale price of the article. The other members present agreed that the charges were iniquitious The President (Mr Weir), stated that, judging by the deputations and complaints that were being made practically all over the Dominion at the present time against the methods adopted by the Railway Department, they were discreditable to the officers concerned, and the latest revelations of the Department's practices, as shown to them that afternoon, called for immediate action on the part of the business people and the consumers of the province. He hoped that the business people of the province would take the matter up and ask for a full inquiry and explanation of these latest tactics, and insist upon some action being taken to .put an end to the autocratic methods of the Railway Department, who seem to abrogate to themselves the right to run our own railways on the lines of an American Trust concern. The Department would have to be shown that the railways belong to the people, and should be run for their convenience, and not for exploitation of the general public

The following resolution, moved by Mr. Gow and seconded by Mr. Buckeridge, was then carried, a copy of which is to be forwarded to the Minister of Railways:— That this Chamber most emphatlally protests against the unwarranted new charges, amounting on the whole to about 5s a ton, lately introduced by the Railway Department for handling goods between the boats and the railway trucks at the ports of New Plymouth and Patea, which charges are altogether excessive for the services rendered by the Department, and must increase the cost of living to the general public.