RAILWAY TARIFF.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 189, 15 July 1925, Page 8

RAILWAY TARIFF.

DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. FREIGHT ON COAL. Under date of June- 26, the Associated Chambers of Commerce advised the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North body yesterday that it had received from the secretary of the Railway Board a copy of the new tariff' and ’ regulations appertaining thereto, which tho writers understood were to be brought into operation on or about July 12. The writers added that they oouid not see their way to distribute copies to individual chambers, but would be pleased to answer, to the best of their ability, any enquiries regarding the new classifications and rates.

Mr A. McNeill, business agent for the Railway Department, who was present at the meeting to explain matters appertaining to tho railways, intimated that, tho idea of the department in submitting the tariff to the Associated Chambers of Commerce bad been to obtain the opinions of business peoplo thereon. The tariff bad not yet been gazetted. The president, Mr 11. L. Young, said that the proposed coal freights had caused most discussion. “Tho position for years ha! been that we have been crj-ing out for the railways to be made a paying proposition, and, if we criticise unduly the new charges we will bo going back on our own wishes.” The speaker continued that he would make it his business to seo large consumers of coal to ascertain the effect of the proposed charges. It had to be borne in mind that considerable time and energy had been expended in drafting the new tariff and, unless very valid objections were made, tbs department would not alter the charges. Secondary industries in this district requiring information about the new tariff could ask the secretary to obtain it for them. Mr J. J. O’Shea, the stationinaster, undertook to supply Mr McKenzie with any information desired.

Mr J. P. Stubbs enquired why inlspd towns were penalised in the matter of «£ laining imported coal, the freight whereonwas in excess of that on New Zealand coal. Mr McNeill replied that the freight on many imported products was in excess of the rata on the home article, this being principle that was followed in many countries. The matter then dropped.