MIDLAND RAILWAYS

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 2

MIDLAND RAILWAYS

SECTIONAL FREIGHT RATES PROPOSAL.

[Pee United Peess Association.]

HOKITIKA, April 18.

At a meeting of the Westland branch of the Canterbury Progress League yesterday a newspaper report was mentioned to the effect that three sectional charges were to be imposed on goods traffic over tlio Midland Railway, east and west. Strong exception was taken to the proposal, as it was expected it would bo a very heavy impost on Canterbury and Westland trade and commerce. Various commodities were mentioned on which the increased freight (by sectional charges) would be from 60 to 70 per cent, higher than on a through-distance freight. The matter had been referred to Wellington for confirmation, and the information elicited that the three separate sectional charges would operate until the Public Works Department handed over the tunnel section to the Railways Department. As far as could be gathered, when the Railways took over the tunnel section these differential charges would not obtain.

It was further gleaned that the cn-gineer-in-chief considered that gooda traffic would be possible in a fortnight’s time, but it would be three or four months thereafter before the line was ready to hand over to the Railways Department.

It is considered here that the differential tariff will restrict freightage, which will result in loss all round. It is proposed to now ask that the two approaching lines to th© tunnel section already under the Railways Department be treated as a section, thus reducing the differential charge system to two instead of three nections° with the understanding that when the tunnel is taken over by :he Railways one through tariff for the single distance will be charged. The matter is being referred to the Canterbury Progress League to take up through its special Railway Committee.