AFTERNOON SITTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 71, 6 May 1881, Page 2

AFTERNOON SITTING.

The Council resumed at 2 p.m. The same members were present A special meeting was held, at which a resolution was passed by the Council assuming entire control of the Foxton pound. The proposed byelatvs were than read and adopted. RAII.WAV FREIGHT. Mr Sanson moved, "That considering the present state of trade in the colony, and the importance of all industries calculated to employ labor being assisted, this Council respectfully presses upon the Hon. the Minister of Public \\ orks the desirability of the railway freight on white pint iutended for shipment beiug reduced to the lowest practicable amount, believing that by the adoption of such a course a vast quantity of the raw material at present destroyed would be turuedjnto a marketable commodity, and that a large and profitable trade would be created with Victoria and other Australian Colonies, thus tending to promote the wealth aud prosperity of this aud all otheF parts of the colony." Hesaid he had been told a considerable trade could be developed with Australia iv white pine, if it could be put on that market at a sufficiently low price to compete with other countries. One shipment already sent had resulted iv a small loss to the shipper, bat if the railway freights had be* v a shilling lower the loss would have been converted into a profit. Referring to hist own riding, lie believed thu timber in that was nearly all white pine. There was a sprinkling of totara and riinu, but by far the largest quantity w&s white pine. At present this was burnt, for want of some lietter means of gettiug rid of it. If the Government would drop the railway tariff to the lowest practicable amount he believedftho county would derive a great beue tit tmiu the whita pine trade that, would follow. The sawinilierd, he believed, had sent in a petition asking for a reduction ou white pine haulage. An expression of opinion on the part of the Council such as he proposed would greatly support them in their application. In fact, he believed it would have more weight than their petition, for the sawmillerß were manifestly selfish in their request, whereas the Council being a deliberative body might reasonably be expected to give an opinion upon a wider basis. He therefore moved the resolution he had read. The motion was seconded by Mr Linton. Mr Rockstrow could not see what mortal good this resolution, if passed, would do. It would be passed and a twopenny stamp would be wasted forwarding it. The Mana\v;itu farmers could not compete with those in other parts of the colony, and why not ask fora reduction in which the general public would participate, and not one class only ? This matter was entirely in the haiKis of the Government, who some time ago told a deputation from the Council that the railway tariff had to be raided in order to make the railways pay. Settlers rrust clear their laud in order to grass or crop it. and they wculd sooner burn the stuff tlian leave even good timber standing. The sawmiHers had sent a deputation to Wellington to agitate this matter, aud it should be left to them to deal with it. If the Government conceded in this instance, tben the should make c similar request on belia.lt' of the farmers. He believed they would decline to do so. They had proof of this in their persistent refusal to lower the rates for gravel, notwithstanding it was wanted at Foxtou for road works. He hoped the motion would be withdrawn. Mr M'Lennan — But this relates to white pine for shipment ! Mr Rook-'trow — That is what I object to. The motion was then carried on th<-