RATES FOR CATERING

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4960, 25 February 1937, Page 5

RATES FOR CATERING

INCREASE IN WAIKATO. EFFECT ON THE FARMERS. With a view to improving the conditions of the carrying trade Waikato carters have been considering increased rates for some time and the proposed charges have been fixed. Many of the alterations have met with considerable opposition from the farmers and several of the merchants in the Waikato. When interviewed by a Waikato Times reporter, Mr. J. Jebson, president of the Hamilton District Carriers’ Association and president of the South Auckland Council of Carriers’ Associations, outlined the proposed charges and explained the reason for them. “Each carriers’ association has drawn up proposed price lists which have been submitted to farmers’ unions and other organisations with a view to arriving at an agreed rate for carrying. The carriers are prepared to hear any reasonable protests regarding the increased charges. The proposed charges for many lines have not been changed from the ruling prices, but on other goods the suggested increase has been higher because these goods were .carried below cost,” stated Mr. Jebson. At a meeting last week, the South Auckland Council of Carriers’ Associations elected a committee to co-ordin-ate the price lists over as wide an area as possible and before the charges are finalised it is hoped that some agreement can be arranged with the Farmers’ Union, county councils, and merchants. Where it can be shown that the proposed prices are too high the association will be prepared to consider a revision. “The average increase in price is only about 15 per cent,” said Mr. Jebson. Past Difficulties. “A rise in charges is long overdue and in the past carriers have not been getting fair remuneration for their work. Not only have wages and maintenance expenses been increased but licensing costs are excessive,” said Mr. Jebson in support of higher carrying charges. “During the depression the carriers suffered heavily from bad debts and in many cases carried the farmers on their backs. This all added to the difficulties of the carrying industry and an attempt is now being made to put it on a reasonable footing. “Customers could assist towards lessening their expenses for carrying by providing loading facilities. Especially does this apply to the farming community,” said Mr. Jebson, who cited the instance of several farmers who expect carriers to round up the stock, load it and carry it away. The extra time involved had to be paid for by the farmers. Road Classification. Another factor contributing towards the expenses of carrying to farmers, in Mr. Jebson’s opinion, is the fact that many county councils have classified the country roads so that only light loads can be taken by motor trucks. If a farmer requires several tons to be carted to his farm the carrier is obliged to travel more than one trip, even though his vehicle many not be fully loaded for each trip. In this way farmers are paying more for carting than they save in rates for lowly classified roads. The Piako County Council has raised the classification of their roads. so that loads of six tons can be carried. As a result carriers in that county are prepared to grant a 10 per cent, reduction on country carting. The South Auckland Council of Carriers’ Associations has decided to make the same concession in any county where the classification of the roads is raised to allow heavier loads to be transported. Mr. Jebson added that the proposed list drawn up by carriers-in the Waikato were not as high as those already accepted in the Hawke’s Bay district where the roads are in a better condition than in South Auckland. “Only about 10 per cent, of the carriers in the Dominion are affected by the new Transport Act, more especially those who carry over long distances. The Transport Authority has encouraged the formation of carriers’ associations,” said Mr. Jebson Permission Needed. When the position was referred to Mr. R. Challiner, secretary of the Waikato Master Carriers' Association, he said that his body had discussed increased carrying charges and although farmers and merchants could be conferred with no new rates could be fixed without the permission of the No. 1 Licensing Authority, which has jurisdiction over this district. The association will further consider the possibility of increasing rates when it meets next week. Mr. Challiner had been informed by several farmers that carriers had already raised the rates for carting, but if they were holders of transport licenses they were not entitled to do SO.