"NOT MUCH TO GRUMBLE ABOUT”

Evening Star, Issue 19017, 12 August 1925, Page 5

"NOT MUCH TO GRUMBLE ABOUT”

'The president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce is out of town, and tho vice-president was staying at homo to-day, slightly unwell, eo we have not been able to get a statement as to the chamber's view of the matter. But an experienced member of the committee was induced to speak, aim this is what lie said:— My first observation is that tho Minister fairly gave an opportunity to any persons interested to place their views before tho department, and he wont to a little trouble to do it. My next is as to the interest rate on our railways. It is_ to my mind questionable whether it is u iso policy to increase the demand for interest upon the outlay on those railwajs. Formerly it was reckoned that if they paid 3J per cent, upon the cost, the loss which that might involve was really a gain fo the country in service. iSow—< 1 don’t know how it has come about—, it seems to bo the policy to demand something more, and they speak of 4f nor cent. The Minister consequently says in this statement that additional revenue to the extent of about £OSO,- ; 000 will be required for tho current j year, It is, I admit, for the Govern- i meat to decide how much of this* should ; he borne by increase of rates, and how : much should he borne by the Con-; solidated Fund. My opinion, however, is that it would pay the country to keep the railways going, and extend, if need he, even if they do not pay more than 4 per cent, on the capital value. I doubt the wisdom bf taking that £650,000 out of increased rates. As to the adjustment, of rates I have no opinion personally, because the Interests involved—coni, timber, and so on—have all made their own. repre-sentations-—if they are there is no more to bo said. Fxcepting this: That in regard to eonl there seems to he a new policy adopted, by depriving pertain districts ol the natural benefit? of their location. To my mind that is a somewhat unfair policy. The same argument is applicable to timber or any other industry. I note that there is an increase of la 5d -per ton on the wheat rates. Hut that is not much to grumble about. Possible when details of the tariiT arc available, more may and should bo said. in the meantime, speaking generally. T do not see much to kick up a row about.