FREIGHT ON PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 118, 14 November 1925, Page 6

FREIGHT ON PRODUCE

PUKEKOHE GRIEVANCE,

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND; This Day.

The adverse effect of the new railway tariff on the Pukekohe potato trade was discussed by the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce with Mr. J. G. Rickerby, District Traffic Manager of the Railway Department. The president, Mr. H. H. Pattle, stated that the outward freight from Pukekohe, mostly produce, amounted to about 10,000 tons per annum. The freights had 'been increased about £1 a ton, making a total increase af about £10,000. Presuming that the growers paid half and consumers half, an extra £5000 had to be found by the growers, of. whom ' there were rather less than 200. One of the principle* of good government was to make essential foodstuffs available to the masses of people as cheaply as possible. Potatoes were an essential foodstuff, and to load them with another £1 ton freight was a serious thing to the consumer and to producer. It was particularly serious to the Pukekohe district, ,as it meant a fallingoff in demand, particularly for early potatoes. He suggested that a flat rate of Is 6d per cwt for any distance over 100 miles would be equitable. Mr Pattle's remarks were endorsed by Mr F. Perkins, who stated that the importance of the subject might be gauged by the fact that the Pukekohe district produced enough potatoes to supply tho Dominion for about four months in the year, and enough onions for the Dominion for the wliolo of '.he year. Mr. Rickerby' quoted figures to show there had been no increase in the rate for lots up to two cwt, which remained at Is "4d per cwt. He doubted whether there was an average increase of as much as £1 per ton. He thought it was more like 10s. After further discussion the suggestion that there should bo a flat rate of Is 6d was left to the president, secretary, and Mr. Rickerby to consider.