The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1888. PRODUCE FREIGHT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2842, 8 March 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1888. PRODUCE FREIGHT.

The question of railway charges has of late been somewhat forcibly brought home to the farmers of Masterton. Our farmers find now that they have to compete in the Wellington produce market against the West Coast, and whenever the Government railway tariff contrasts unfavorably with that of the Manawatu Company's line they are practically excluded from the market. There is an impression amongst our producers that the Government favor the Manawatu line, and thus enable it to compete against the Colonial railway to Masterton. There may, perhaps, be not much force now in this consideration, but undoubtedly the Manawatu line has had powerful political friends, and these friends have never been slow to exert their, influence on its behalf. An illustration of the disability to which farmers are subjected in this district is to be found in the chaff trade. There are hundreds of stacks of straw round Masterton which could ail be cut into chaff and utilized in the Empire City were the railway freight upon this product a reasonable one. Instead of sending it down to Wellington it has to be burnt or wasted because the Government charge a prohibitive rate upon it over their line. This instance at once shows why farming does not pay here, and why the railway is unremunerative. The department charge, we are informed 82s 6d for conveying a light truck load of chaff to Wellington and at the same time take a heavy truck load of timber for 275. It is quite evident that the railway either must make an enormous profit on chaff—when it does carry 'it -or that it must sustain a heavy loss on the carriage of timber, The real fact is that the Manawatu railway works into the hands of farmers and producers and thus takes the trade while the Govornment railway with its cast iron freights loses it. A member of our staff interviewed a Minister in Wellington this week with a view to showing him the disadvantages Masterton farmers have to contend with in railway freights, Wo are glad to report that the Minister admitted the advantage that would be gained both by the farmers and by the department if produce freights were modified to secure trade, and promised ta use his influence to bring about a change. It is extremely gratifying to find 'that there are Ministers in Wellington who are waking up to meet the traffic requirements.of producers.' Of course there have been instances in the past where a Canterbury political ring has been able to depress freights below any possible paying level, but this is as bad as maintaining' a prohibition tariff. All that ia wanted is an intelligent administration such as is applied to the Manawatu line, The interests of this distriot arc now at stake, and no effort should be spared to urge the' Government to grant to farmers in this district every concession which is enjoyed by farmers living in the districts served by the Mffl&watu railway.