HELD-UP CARGO

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 69, 18 September 1925, Page 8

HELD-UP CARGO

TRANSPORTATION BY RAIL

DEPARTMENT'S ATTITUDE OVER

CHARGES,

(II riLEOSAPH —SPECIAL TO fHI POST.)

D.UNEDIN, This Day.

The Otago Importers and Shippers' Association has telegraphed to the, Hon. J. G. Coates asking, that, as the Kailway Department has exercised the option allowed by the new tariff to charge on measurement, if Diinedin- cargo in the \ Hororata >is railed from Lytteltori' the Department ought to figure out the actual cost of performing this'particular service; and quote a rate that, whiie giving a reasonable profit, would yet make an arrangement possible. , The Minister in reply stated: "I have given; the matter careful reconsideration, but' regret I cannot make a further, reduction in the charges already quoted for carriage of" goods affected. In,"applying tho special rate already quoted, tlie Department Has afforded a substantial, concession on,the ordinary, rate. With regard to charging.on measurement, I desire to . point out that charging on ships'. goods by! measurement when this is greater than the dead weight is the universal practice.", The executive telegraphed the Minister again :; "Very disappointed.' Expected yqu would treat the matter as a business" proposition for a large contract, ascertaining the actual.cost of service, and quoting a reasonable advance thereon.' As things stands the -project .is, quite impossible.": -', ■'■.-■ ■.. -.-..-., >, So the matter stands at present, and nobody can say when or how-trie cargo will get from j Lyttelton to; Dunedin. The suggestion lias' been made that Northern importers who are in Similar trouble should unite with Southern importers in' a common scheme for; deliver-. ance. The Tainui; now idle at Wellington, has 4000 tons of Auckland cargo: on board,-anti there are other holdings 1 up at other ports, but the suggestion has not yet taken shape. The situation is not merely irritating, it means a prodigious 1055..; The goods on ihese/ idle steamers have been paid ; for, and hundreds of ■thousajids, of pounds must be lying useless. ':.''-' ' '"'.'■ ■'- '.-"■'s-.i '■'.. ■'■ • ■