RAILWAY EXACTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1918, Page 4

RAILWAY EXACTIONS.

DEPUTATION TO MmffmvßS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation representing harbor boards and allied interests waited upon t'lie Acting-Prime Minister and the Minister for Railways to-u\v regarding certain railway charges which were considered to bear unjustly upon the smaller ports. A sorting charge of a/bout Is lOd per ton had been imposed upon goods landed at ports where the Railway Department had control. This charge was considered to be unduly high. Sir James Allen said the matter eoneerned the Railway Department, and he assured the deputation that Calbinet would readily assist to remedy any real grievance.

The Hon. W. H. Berries, in reply, said the figures collected in Wanganui showed the sorting cost to be 23d per ton. The actual charge made was Is 63, plus two additions of 10 per cent. The first 10 per cent was a war tax. Tho money was needed for national purposes. The second 10 per cent, was to provide money for extra war pay to railwaymen, amounting to about £300,000 a year. The Minister suggested that some points raised should be discussed with the General Manager of Railways. In the course of further discussion, Mr. Herries said the Railway Department had no wish to control the wharves at all. The duty had been forced upon them, and if harbor boards could take full control they would be welcome to do so.