CARRIAGE OF TIMBER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1531, 29 August 1912, Page 3

CARRIAGE OF TIMBER.

• —J——; RAILWAY CHARGES. A. deputation of King Country sawniillCM waited-on the Minister for Railways (the Hon. W.. H, Hemes) yesterday requesting that the higher rates charged on the carriage of timber by rail from five Mam Trunk country should be reduced (o the rates ruling on the Kotorua and other lines. The deputation was introduced by Messrs. K. M\ Smith and E. •Newman, M.IVs. Mr. Smith quoted the rates ruling on hues other than tho Main Trunk with intent to show that King Country sawmillere were unfairly handicapped by high rates. Ho pointed out also that" owing to tUe rates charged on tho railways 25 per cent, ot tho trees-tho inferior" timber—were left in the bush, and-lost for commercial' purposes. It was surely wrong that timber should be charged half as much again for carriage by rail as any other natural product. The milling industry in the district■ employed a very large number' of hands, and really constituted the existence of many of the smaller. tov;ns,on the Main Trunk line. In reply to a question from tie Minister, a member of the deputation said they- expected the suggested' alterations should apply as far south as Tangiwai. The Hon. W. H. Herrics, in reply, said that to be quite, frank he could hold out no hope of the request'being' granted if it meant nny reductions in railway revenue, M great were the, charges to he metritis year. The whole question of local rates—lie preferred to call them "local" instead of "differential" rates—would have to be zone into. butit-would be held ever till the now general mnr.a-er'wns appointed. However, where it, was shown that there were local injustices, ho wimld "lie prepared to go into the. matter ami ascertain whether on alteration wouM moan any reductkn in the revenue. After he had considered the representation*- irhieh had been mode to him, he would communicate with , Mr. Smith. The Minister remarked Hint, he had been nskerl by farmers mid otliers tn take Hie exlra rate off imported hardwoods. lie had madt'il. clear that did not intend to tn.kv tlie extra rate off Joft imported limber, such as Oregon pine, but lie would like to know whether the diu'orentir.l rate on hardwood was .of any service to the miller:). It had been represented to him that a similar class or hardwood could .not bo obtainod in New Zealand. Mr. Bartholomew rfnlicd that the millei'3 would linVe a decided objection to tho abolition of the extra rate. Many bridges were now being redecked with heart cf riniu and heart of matai. There, was a good market for these timber.", and fur-, ther and cheaper facilities for the imported jarrah timber would injuriously affect it. Mr. Herries said that in some oawi the u=,o of jarrah had been specified by the Governmeut. Mr. -Bartholomew: Yμ. and we often wonder whether there is anything behind such provisions. Mr. Trriir.e Tem-irk°d t.hnt tmm a pur«-ly'cnmmerci-jl point of v.jew the inlvj rnte sliould be maintained—jatwii "'a> 1 1V1^S ss "ueavy as many other timber*.