MIDLAND RAILWAY FREIGHT CHARGES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 8

MIDLAND RAILWAY FREIGHT CHARGES.

OPPOSITION TO DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM. (PRBS3 ASSOCIATION TBLB3BAM.) HOKITIKA, April 18. ' At a meeting of the Westland branch of the Canterbury Progress League'yesterday, reference was made to' a newspaper report, which mentioned that three sectional charges were to be imposed on goods traffic over the Midland railway, between the East and West Coasts. Strong exception was taken to the proposal, as it was considered that it would be a very heavy impost on Canterbury and Westland trade and commerce. Various commodities were mentioned, on which the increased freight by the sectional charges would be 50 to 70 per cent, higher than through-distance freight. The matter was referred to Wellington for confirmation, and the information was elicited that the three separate sec-' tional charges would operate until the Public Works Department handed over the tunnel section to the Railways Department. As far as could be gather-* ed, when the Railways took over the tunnel section differential charges would not obtain. It was further gleaned that the Chief Engineer considered that goods traffic would be possible in a fortnight's time, but it would be three or four months there-i after before the line would be ready to hand over to'* the Railways ment./ It is considered here that the differential tariff will restrict freightage,, which will result in a loss all round. It is proposed now to ask that the two approaching lines to the tunnel section already under the Railways Department, be treated as a section, and thus reduce the differential charge system to two instead of three sections, with an understanding that when tho tunnel is taken aver'by the Railways one through-tariff for the single distance to be charged. The matter is beipg referred to the Canterbury Progress League to take no, through the special Railway Committee.