THE Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1880. QUESTIONABLE POLICY.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 77, 6 October 1880, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1880. QUESTIONABLE POLICY.

"Wonlitre things, and a drop of }nk falling like dew upon a thought, produoas tlviii wkioh aaobes thousand*, parhapg millions thluk."

\W*e hear with v tnuch surprise and more regret that' it is the intention of the llail way Department to increase the rates for the carriage of timber on the Wanganm-Manawatu Section. It is well known that the season just passed has been a most trying one for the sawmillers, and were it not for their energy m opening up. communications with the South Islaud, and the orders received from thence, many of- the mills would have been compelled to close. We have it on the very best authority that from next week, railway freight upon timber is to be raised twenty-five per cent., but the step is uofc only so unjust, but so .Buicidal to the interests <$ the Bailway Department itself, that were it not that we have the information from a. source which is beyond questioning, we would laugh at itß ah T RUrdity. -Xet us juat look at its effects upon the timber industry, and then .upon the railway ' reven ue, and we feel convinced a consideration of the results m both ca.aes will p?Q.4ttC.e ajsple, t§stiffion^ aji tQ it§

impolicy. As we have before stated, most of the mills m the Manawatu have sent representatives southward to make special negotiations and open a market for the reception of their exports. In most cases, we are pleased to state, their efforts have been successful, and orders for large contracts have been received ; but m order to achieve that, it was necessary that the prices should be fixed at such low rates as would put the Sound millers out of the market. This was-accomplished, but at a cost to the millers of Manawatu which barely left *them a margin to carry on and pay expenses, the hope being that with returning prosperity, and the worst tided over, matters would again right themselves. To their dismay, however, they now / learn that the arrangements into which they entered, and the contracts made, based upon the present freight for timber, if set aside, and the proposed tariff substituted; will result m either the repudiation of the arrangements and the closing of the mills, or the executing of the contracts at a very "heavy loss. As we before stated, the proposed increase is twenty-five per cent., and it will be admitted that: when orders have heen based updn a calculation to barely pay working expenses, if a 'further expenditure of twenty-five per cent has to be incurred, it can only be at a ruinous loss. We have thus shown that the contemplated increase will prove the death-signal for the timber industry of Manawatu, butjcertaiuly the cause of its destruction will not be allowed to escape scatheless. The WanganuiManawatu Section has the reputation of being, one o£ tho best—if really not the best— paying lines m the Norlh Island, and that it is so' is alone owing to the freight returns from the timber trade of Manawatu. Impose the pro-jected-tariff, and it becomes a rank prohibition against the exportation of white and red pine, and a consequent losa of thousands m the year to the railway revenue. Had the line been hitherto worked at a loss to the department, there might Hbe some excuse for the imposition of a freight rate wliirh would cover expenses ; but as we pointed put, such an excuse, does not exist The line has /paid -and still continues to pay well, and with the opening up of the white pine trade with the South, will pay- better than ever ; a- id consequently- we can- see no earthly reason for a change fraught with such disaitrous effects. Hitherto Mr EoTHBEAMi the General Manager, has found that m studying the interests of the sawmillers, he was taking the best means to increase the revenue of the line, and we see no reason, whatever why they should now be antagonistic. We feel quite convinced if the millowners of tiie Manawatu will meet among themselves, and prefer the very just reason why the existing , tariff should remain m abeyance, M>. Hotheram will be ..quite willing to grant the justice of the request.