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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2671, 24 August 1889, Page 2

In our last leading article we referred to the reply receii-ed by Mr E. Pearson, carbolic sand soap manufacturer, from tlio Railway Commissioners. They refuse to make a sub.sl/intial, or any, reduction in the freight, from Hamilton, but t-'.'inpt him to establish a factory in Auckland by offering to convey sand from Hamilton for 9s per ton. To show what little weight is given to the requests of the public, or how much careful consideration has been bestowed on this particular matter, we may say that if the offer of the Commissioners was intended seriously and availed of, it would mean a direct loss of revenue to the Department, of which they are so jealous. Tan tons of sand will manufacture fifteen tons of soap. Besides which there are required for the same output, five tons of soda, acid, and timber for packing cases, which are imported from Auckland at tariff rates. Thus, if their proposal were accepted the Department would lose five tons of freight one way at full scale charges and fifteen tons of the manufactured article at say 10s per ton, in return for only tan tons of raw sand at di per ton. In a word they would lie direct lo3ers of £S 10s on every ten tons of sand, allowing 20s per ton for the carnage of material from Auckland, which is probably below the mark. Is further comment necessary ? We are sick of travelling over the same ground to expose the fatuous, imbecile policy of our railway system. It cuts its own throat and strangles legitimate enterprise. Mr Pearson now says there is no course open for him but to transfer his whole business to Sydney, whence he can supply this colony with his sand-soap at less than half the cost than it now takes to forward it to the Auckland market from Hamilton. We cannot recommend any steps to be taken to help Mr Pearson. From such a Parliament, such a Government, and such a railway policy, there is no appeal.