“HAD TO COME”

Evening Star, Issue 23130, 2 December 1938, Page 12

“HAD TO COME”

INCREASED RAILWAY RATES NO STRONG OPPOSITION INCONVENIENCE TO HOLIDAY-MAKERS That the increase in railway j rates announced in last night’s ‘ Star ’ was inevitable was the, general opinion ot a number of leading business men when their opinions were invited this morning. There was no strong opposition to the increased passenger fares, the main cause for complaint in this direction being -that the changes were announced only a short time before the Christmas vacations commenced, which was likely to inconvenience those people who had already made arrangements to travel. In some quarters, even, there seemed to be a tendency to approve of the increases in freight rates. Tn COUNTERACT LAVISH SPENDING. It had to come in order to help to counteract the lavish , spending that had been going on, remarked one regular suburban train patron. He then went on to say that the average passenger in the suburban trains had a grievance against tne department _ioi' the very poor service rendered. ihe carriages on this service were mostly ' dirty and ill-lit, and the regular travellers considered that they did not receive full value for their money in that respect. Now they would have to pay more for the same state of affairs, he said. The speaker then went on to say that it would be a great pity if the increase in fares served to hinder settlement in such places as MosgieJ, which were close to the city and yet enjoyed all the benefits of the conn- * try* It was hoped after the duplication of the railway line between Dunedin and Mosgiel that the township would grow rapidly, but this was killed by the unduly high fares that were charged. EXPECTED FOR SOME TIME. * ‘ increase in the railway fares has been expected for some time,’ remarked the secretary of a body interested in the welfare of the province. “ We cannot make any fuss about it, as even with the 10 per cent, on the fares are still reasonable. Of course they cannot compare with those charged, in Britain, but there a large travelling population has to be taken into consideration.” THE FARMER’S VIEW. “ The increases have come at a most inopportune time,” said another imm •who was asked to give the views of the farmers. He went on to say that the majority of people had drawn up then budgets for the holidays and would probably be inconvenienced by the increased rail fares. He said.that the farmers would concur with the statement made by Mr A. P. O’Shea, dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Railage was a very big item with many Otago farmers, he continued, ' as the distances from the main ports and markets were greater than m most / other provinces in the Dominion. The cost of working much of the back V country was already reaching a stage f - when there was little margin of profit . left and every additional cost was viewed with grave concern by the farmers. The increase in road transport rates would fall particularly heavily on farmers in such districts as Hawea Flat, where wool freights were already a major item. ANOMALIES IN SCHEDULE, “The increases are inevitable,” said an importer. “ Every business concern in the country has had to put up charges due to increased wages and reduced hours. These things have affected the railway just the same as any other trading • connection, but up till now the rates that ruled during the depression have remained unaltered.”. This same man advanced the opinion that further increases might not unreasonably be expected in the future: There are, it appears, from information gained in one source, many anomalies in existing freight charges, and a drastic overhaul is not only warranted, but advisable. “ One needs to be a wizard to understand the railway tariff guide,” the ‘ Star ’-was informed; “for rebates are allowed on this, and percentages put on to that, and sometimes both deductions and increased percentages are shown on the one item!” ; During the depression, when the railways were facing strong competition from road transport services, cuts in freight rates were made on several lines, and these cuts still operate. Very low rgtes apply on freight carried between Dunedin and Invercargill, rates that were instituted during the period of depression. Peculiar anomalies obtain ip the schedule; for instance, it is cheapen to send two, packages of 4cwt By rail to Invercargill than it is to .send one package of Bcwt, and a similar state of affairs applies throughout the prevailing rates. “ These things are perhaps irrelevant to the question you asked me, ’ said.jthe ,‘ Star’s informant, “ but they serve to show how haphazard rates are at present. A revision of , the schedule is necessary, just as necessary as an increase in freights. ’ THE USERS’ DUTY. “ It is only right that those who use thd railways should contribute towards making good the losses that are being incurred, and not the general taxpayer, who has quite enough to prfy .as things are,” was another opinion. “It may mean that many things will go up in price, but the increase will not be very great. ine railways should be as financial as any other department, and if they are not steps must be taken, to make them so. I do not think these higher, charges will result in a decline of patronage either by passengers or by those who send freight.” OPPOSITION FROM BUILDERS Among those strongly opposed to the increases were two builders who are at present holding large for building Government houses. Ihe higher freights will mean that all our timber will go up accordingly, said one of these men, “ and we have absolutely no redress. We shall have to stand that increase, and it will be sufficient to reduce our profit on the undertakings ’to almost nothing.” This opinion was confirmed by the second builder, and it was hinted that a “ pretty strong letter” might be sent to the Government seeking some rebate or consideration. Otherwise, timber firms do not appear ' distressed. S 9 far as they are concerned they will, like all other companies, automatically pass the charges on.