King Country Chronicle. Tuesday, September 17, 1935. RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4747, 17 September 1935, Page 4

King Country Chronicle. Tuesday, September 17, 1935. RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Word has been received from the Railways Board by the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce that it cannot see its way to make any reduction in railway freights to and from this district. The Railway Department has a standard charge for its passenger service on a mileage basis, and there is no reason why the same principle should not apply to freight charges. These freights have been reduced where the Department is meeting keen competition from the motor traffic and coastal sea carriage, and it is nothing less than iniquitous that an inland district like this should be-called upon to meet the deficit on those lines where the competition prevails in a more acute form. The railway charges on Class A goods from Auckland to Te Kuiti are 74/3 a ton, the distance being 126 miles. For the 179 miles from Auckland to Tauranga the charge is 51/6 a ton; to Waihi (142 miles) 35/- a ton; and to Thames (146 miles) 25/- a ton. This exploitation of the inland and more isolated districts by excessive charges cannot continue indefinitely, but it is certain that no redress will be given unless a united effort is made to remedy the position. The railway system is a State undertaking, and every individual in the Dominion has an average interest of £4O in its cost and maintenance. If there is to be a loss in its working, then let it be equally divided over the whole of the taxpayers by making up any deficit from the consolidated fund, and not by any particular section of the community. The people of this district have been most loyal to the railway —returns that were recently published in these columns go to prove this — but unless some relief is given then there will be a reaction, and business men will be forced to consider how they can best make use of the motor traffic to meet the heavy charges by rail. It is an open secret that some firms are considering the purchase of motor lorries to deal with their own transport. This cannot be considered a good thing from a national point

of view, for any losses on the working of the railways have to be made up by the general taxpayer. At the same time if the Department continues its policy of differentiation business men have a perfect right to protect their own interests and will certainly do so. There is another aspect of this matter that cannot be ignored. New Plymouth is now well established as a port, both for coastal and overseas trade, and more than one case has been brought under the notice of this paper where it has been proved that it is cheaper to land goods at New Plymouth and bring them to Te Kuiti and the western districts by motor transport than by paying the present railway freights from Auckland. If this transport via New Plymouth be- ! comes general it will mean a heavy loss of revenue to the Railway Department. It also means that a large amount of business will be lost to this town. Such a statement might savour of parochialism, but the town is perfectly justified in safeguarding its business interests. It is not only the business people that are interested in this matter, for the farming community have to largely rely on the railways for the transport of fertilisers, fencing wire, posts and all other commodities used in farming, in addition to all household goods. Te Kuiti is not the only centre affected by high railway freights, which are also operating in Taumarunui and other inland towns. The position is so unfair that it justifies a combined protest to the Railways Board to have these freights placed on a more equitable basis.