RAILWAY REFORM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2157, 6 May 1886, Page 2

RAILWAY REFORM.

TO THE EDITOR. Silt,-* A3 I took my seat the other day at the table of ono of our city restaurants, a gentleman, until recently a grain and produce merchant of this city, but now of Christ* church, was Haying to tho«e around him, "Mr Vaile lias created the impression that railway freight charges are higher in Auckland than they are in Canterbury, but since I have been settled there I find out tlut such is not the case, and that no more is charged m Auckland than in Canterbury." I was appealed to and quoted some of the inequalities ; he, bow* ever, persisted in his assertion, saying he was conversant with the t.uitf, and that the rates wore equal. I am certain thab ninety-nine out ot every hundred men in Canterbury believe that there is not only no inequality, but that ns a matter of fact they are very badly treated. Not wishing to stir up provincial jealousies, neither in my letters, lectuies, nor in tho pamphlet lately issued, have I said mow on this bubject than I thought necessary to direct attention to it. As, however, thu is >i fiesh attempt to accuse me of ignorance of my bubject, it may be as well if I drag these inequalities into a little fiercer tunlight. The following examples are takes from the tariff of March 15 last. Some previous inequalities have been modified, but these and many others remain. Suppose a farmer at Te Awarnntu wished to send two tons ot wheat to the mill at Helenirille the charge would be, in Auckland £2 ; saint distance (138 miles) in Canterbury, £1 13s. The consequence of this is that Canterbury wheat, by way of Kaipara, can be supplied to the Helensville mill cheaper than it can from the Waikato. The freight on two ton* of potatoes, Te Awamutu to Newmarket, ii 31 s 3d ; same distance in Christchurch 26ft 4d. For carrying a ton of goods of classes A, B, C, or 1), from Christchurch to Kaiapoi (thirteen miles), including collection and delivery in Kaiapoi and delivery in Christchurch, the charge is in eacb caw (is. The rates for the same distance in Auckland, but including delivery in thii city only, is, for class A 10a 2d} B 9s 9d (Average 9s 5d per ton, as C 8s lid f against Cs in Canterbury. D 8s lid j Note. — So far as Auckland is concerned there is no class D. Kangiora is twenty-one miles from Christchuch. and the rate per ton for classes A, B, C, or D, including collection and delivery in Ranginra and delivery in Christchurch, is 81. In Auckland, for the same distance, but including delivery in Auckland only, the average charges for the four classes is 13s 9id per ton, as against their Bs. Ships' goods of classes A, B, C, and D, are sent from Lyttelton to Timaru (107 miles), at an average charge of 15a per ton. For carrying the same goods the 100 miles between Auckland to Te Awamutu the average charge would be 36s 4Jd per ton. If my Auckland-Christchurch friend would like a few more examples of how the railways of the colony are worked in the interests of Canterbury I am quite able to give them to him. The list is by no means exhausted. These, however, should suffice to prove my contention that we not only have political railways, but al«o political rating. It will be seen how, by operating from the centres named, and moving goods backwards and forwards along the lines, as the case may require, the Canterbury traders can cover the whole of their lines at rates greatly under those charged in other proviuces. Again, I ask, is it creditable to us as citizens of a large mercantile city that we quietly and tamely submit to these things? I should mention that Napier, Waneranui, Wellington, Nelson, Picton, and Westland are all treated as badly, and some a great deal worse, than Auckland. The rates are also heavily against Southland, and to a large extent against Otago. Canterbury has the advantage of all the other provinces. By what authority that advantage was given, I have never been able to find out. The gentleman referred to above is an intelligent, successful man of business, who uses the lines daily, and the fact of him making the statement he did shows how fearfully complicated our railway tariff is. It should never be forgotten that this confusion is brought about designedly, and that the department have avowed— in print— their wish to make it so complete that no one shall be able to read the rates. When this is accomplished, then every other portion of the colony will be at the mercy of the province that has the most political power.— l am, &c, Sahuki. Vaiuc, Auoklwad, April 28, 1886.