SHORTAGES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 20 May 1930, Page 4

SHORTAGES

AUSTRALIAN T&MIM

, , LOSING STATE LINES

In socking to lengthen the working hqtjvs on tho losiug Victorian tramway? from 44 to 48, it is officially declared that the needed money cannot be taken from users, as they would be driven away. Higher fares would mean less T-cvomie. Tho following is. the official statement of tho case:—

"For the financial year ended 30th June, 1924, there was a surplus of £, 10,000, and in 1925 there was a deficiency of £102,000. In 1926 (containing §i;c months of the 44? hour week) the deficiency was £278,000, and in 1927 it was £269,000. In 192S there was a surplus of .-£27,000. In the- latter year, however, there were POl'tajn increase!) in fares which operntod from sth December. The rcsujt was that the earnings of the tramways increased by £227,000. There was also an incronso for a limited period-in the receipts from olectricity. It is estimated that for the year ended 30th June next there would be a loss of £348,000. Jt is impossible to. increase fares further —i|i fact it is suggested that an increase- of. Jd a section .would mean. a. loss of 25 per cent, in the receipts. An- increase in the fares would also lead to an increase in Inis competition,' The State is faced with «'grave financial position, and there is urgent need to. apply gome , business principles." ? '

Li connection with the Victorian railways, the policy of penalising those who patronise the railways for tho carriage of low-freight goods and motor transport for the carriage of highfreight goods comtinueg to bo ■ discussed. - The farmers are being told by motor carriers that the farmer will be penalised, and some. of the Shira cgimcils do not/know whether to believe this or not. .'Tho following: discussion at a meeting of the Sheppart'on Shire Council is a sample.l " Councillor Dudley; ■.thought that the1 commissioners were to bb commended, and ho moved that the council express approval of tho bylaw.- • Councillor. J. Ryan said that the general effect of the bylaw would, be to penalise the primary producer, which was most unjust. 'Councillor J. M'Crum remarked that road transit had come to stay, and the primary producer was forced by circumstances to patronise the cheapest means of transport. , Councillor Dudley's motion was rejected on the casting vote of the president (Councillor W. L. Ross)."

Although so-me farmers want to choose the cheapest market for transport; (whother State or private), others want the State's protection against their creditors, Recently ' the Victorian Legislative Assembly debated tlie Farmers' Belief Bill. The Bill sets up a board to which financially embarrassed farmers in the Mallee may apply for a certificate of immunity from prosecution for debt. Mr. Macfarlan (Nationalist) said that there ■was no doubt in his mind that the Labour Ministry had introduced the Bill because it was anxious to please members of the* Country Progressive Party, in whose constituencies ..much of the area affected by the Bill lay. To be logical the Ministry should make tho Bill applicable to the whole State, but it dared not do that because it would be the equivalent to a proclamation that the State was bankrupt.

• A Country Party member, Mr. Wet-t-enhall, said that tho convictions of his %»ad were fighting against the feelings If Us'heart..... .M the Bill liad the effeejt desired by tho'Ministry it would causo a ■sifliß***''reaction in vtho remainder of tho4§&rte, r It was another example of sectional Vsgislation. Under tho Bill no interest was «io b« collected on money invested ia Ivfallee land. ;

The.Minister for Lands (Mr, "It says'that all tho interest on the first mortgage shall be paid each year after the cost of the harvest has been mot." "

Mr^Wettenhall: 'That is not the way I read the Bill. The security oi broad acres is deteriorating under this' class of legislation, and is restricting the avenues of loan money. To-day mipey is being put into bricks and mortar insteed of into the improvement' o>E land. ■ ' . '

Mr. Coyle (Nationalist) said that he proposed to vote against the measure ■unless it was extended 'o the whole State:

The debate was adjourned.