FERTILISER TRANSPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1939, Page 7

FERTILISER TRANSPORT

AN ADJUSTMENT OF RATES.

OPPOSED BY MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

In order to clarify the position regarding the charges for small loads of fertiliser, it has been decided to insert an additional clause in the Wairarapa price schedule, stated a letter from the Number 2 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr W. J. Sims), which was considered at yesterday's meeting of the Masterton County Council. The clause is as follows: —

"Where fertiliser alone is carried and the vehicle used is of a smaller payload capacity than four tons, the minimum charge shall be as for three-quar-ters of the maximum payload. Where a relatively small quantity of fertiliser is ( carried, together with other classes of freight, the charge for fertiliser shall be at the general goods rate.” “This is still not satisfactory,” said Councillor J. W. Colquhoun. "It is going to hit the farmers and we should protest against it. They are paying for something they are not getting. I strongly object to paying cartage for three tons when only getting 1£ tons. Often a farmer only requires one ton to finish a job, but under this system he has to pay three-quarters of the price of a full load. Sometimes a farmer has not enough room for more than one ton.” Councillor G. Moore: “Where a load is less than three tons the general goods rate should operate.” Councillor Colquhoun moved that the department be informed that the position was still not satisfactory, and that the minimum load charge, should be wiped out. The resolution was carried.