“PENAL RATES.”

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1929, Page 2

“PENAL RATES.”

FARMERS’ UNION’S RESOLUTION. MR TAVERNERS CHALLENGE. AUCKLAND, Alay 23. The resolution adopted by the Farmers’ Union Conference in Auckland, in relation to freight rates and the suggested boycott of the railway service as a means of bringing prcssuiv to bear upon the Government is not to be allowed to pass unchallenged by the Minister for Railways (the Hon. Mr Taverner), who is now in Auckland

The resolution was in the nature of a protest against penal railway freight Interviewed this morning the Alblister said that lie regretted very much thnt such a- spirit: has lYcenj displayed by a section of . .life •jamming, community, and ho Was reluctant to think that the opinion expressed reflected the feeling of farmers as a whole. Quoting reported words of one of the delegates at the conference fo the "fleet that “it was desirable that delegates should lie missionaries in tliieir owit districts and stir up interest! to pod-hot piteh, so that action should he taken,” the .Minister said that to propose that a great . Department, of .State should ho subjected 1 to an’attac'le - oT tlris nature was in every sense most undesirable and an unpatriotic gesture.

“If farmers, or a section off them,” said the [Minister, “have any just cause for complaint, with reference to the existing tariff, then there is a proper and constitutional manner in which they can go about seeking a remedy.” Up to the moment, the .Minister said that he had never been approached in this connexion but in any case the use of the term “penal rates,” in connexion with the carriage of imported articles was entirely unwarranted and tend ed to give a wrong impression to the public at large. The actual position was that standard rates were charged on? imported articles and with a view of encouraging local industry and local production a reduction was made in the schedule charges on local goods, thus tending to aid local industry and provide employment for the workers oif New Zealand.

At a time when the railways were fighting for their very existence, the Minister added, and in view of the fact that the railway service, was without question, the most absolutely essential State service in operation to-day, and when everything possible was being done by the Department and management generally to readjust the service in conformity with the present economic situation, and with the new standard of transportation to which people were rapidly becoming accustomed it was extremely to be regretted that an influential body ol citizens should have seen fit to have. adopted resolutions and to have expressed opinions l which could only produce an effect contrary to that which should be the desire oif every right-thinking person. “The Farmers’ Union.” added the Minister, “should be reminded that the railway service more than all other agency, and more than any other agencies put together lias been instrumental over a long period of years in establishing thorn in flic position they occupy to-day. Concessions which the farming community get from the Government are well known and should be regarded bv those so benefiting as being extremely valuable.” It would indeed be deplorable if it was found necessary to diminish those concessions, bill most emphatically declared llie Minister lie would not keep silent when opinions were being expressed such as those reported. Ho desired to assure the Farmers’ Union that lie was prepared to help them to Jthi* lull extent of bis power, but they must frame their requests in a. proper and constitutional manner; otherwise they could tint expect but that tlie Government of the day would resent the action nmv being taken. In saying that, lie believed that citizens generally would endorse bis opinion.