THE RAILWAYS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 15 May 1918, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS

BY TEIJIGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, May 14. A deputation, representing harbor boards and allied interests, waited upon the Acting-Prime Minister and the Minister for Railways to-day regarding certain railway charges which were considered to. bear unjustly upon the smaller ports. A sorting charge of about ;ls lOd per ton had been imposed upon ! goods landed at ports where the Railj way Department had control. This charge was considered to be unduly high. Sir James Allen said the matter con-

cerned the Railway Dapartment, and he assured the deputation that Cabinet would readily assist to remedy any real grievance, j The Hon. W. H. Herries, in reply, i said the figures collected in Wanganui showed the sorting cost to be 23d per ton. The actual charge made was Is 6d, plus two additions of 10 per cent. * The first 10 per cent, was a war tax. The money was needed for national purposes. The second 10 per cent, was to provide money for extra war pay to railwaymen, amounting to about £360,----000 a year. The Minister suggested that some points raised should be discussed .with the General Manager of Railways. In the course of further discussion, Mr Herries said the Railway Dapartment had no wish to control ttie wharves at all. The duty had been forced upon them, and if harbor boards could take full control they would be welcome to do so.