WEST COAST TRADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 October 1929, Page 3

WEST COAST TRADE

DELIVERY SERVICES CRITICISED. Complaints that Dunedin manufacturers were handicapped in competition against Canterbury and other firms for the West Coast trade by the delays in transhipping goods by sea and by the high railway freight charges were discussed by the Manufacturers’ Association (says the Dunedin Star”). The association is to take steps to bring about a cheaper and more rapid delivery of goods to the West Coast. The Marshall Proprietary wrote that some two years ago it approached the railway commercial agent and asked for a through railway freight to the West Coast on certain days of the month. The association was approached in regard to the probable tonnage offering. The firm thought the association set up a committee to go into the matter. Southern shippers were suffering from the present services, and the time was ripe to take up the matter.

Mr. George Reid (secretary) said that on October* 21, 1927, Mr Gregg, then business agent for the railways, waited on the association, and intimated that the department was quite prepared to give consideration to the revision of the rates to the West Coast. Before the Department could go further Mr Gregg asked the manufacturers to give full particulars as to the classes of goods, the approximate quantities, both by weight and measurement, and the sea freight charges. The association set up a committee, consisting of Messrs Hogg, Cuddie, and Hudson, but no further record of any transactions was noted.

Mi* T. Somerville said the department could not be given the deadweight and measurement figures, as the manufacturers could not foresee What goods would be sent during the year. The President (Mr J. Sutherland Ross), said many of the Dunedin manufacturers were interested in the West Coast trade through their Wellington branches or agencies. Mr Cuddie said the committee interviewed the Railway Department, but nothing further was done, as the shipping company gave a through rate, which was of some assistance. A member: We are handicapped, compared with the Christchurch people. Mr Somerville asked if more would be railed if a bigger concession was given. Mr Cuddie; No doubt we would rail more, but some of the people on the West Coast prefer the goods to be shipped.

Mr Hogg said the Union Company had met the Association handsomely two or three years ago by making a through freight. Mr Reid: Don’t you find some trouble over delay? Mr Hogg: No.

Mr Reid said the Marshall Proprietary had informed him that goods shipped to the West Coast were delayed a month in transit. Mr Somerville said a suggestion had been made that a through goods train from Dunedin to the West Coast should be run at night. He suggested that the Union Company should be again approached. Mr W. R. Hayward said enormous quantities of rolling stock loaded with coal and timber for the eastward trip returned to the Coast empty. However, a strenuous fight was made by the )Vest Coast against any differential rate for back loading.

Mr Somerville urged that the Union Company be also asked to expedite transhipments. It was hard that goods should have to lie in Wellington or elsewhere awaiting the convenience of shippings for the West Coast. Mr Jeffrey said a railway official had stated that if two or three trucks of goods were Sent from Dunedin the trucks would be shunted on to the Midland line at Rolleston. and no delay would occur. < “What about the rate?” afeked Mr Hayward.

Mr Jeffrey said the official promised to consider the rate, when an indication was given of the quantity to be railed.

Mr Brinsley: The rates are too heavy for heavy goods. Messrs Brinsley, Jeffrey, and Fastier were appointed a committee to interview the Railway Department and the Union Steam Ship Company.