RAILWAY CHARGES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2122, 13 May 1922, Page 5

RAILWAY CHARGES.

(Per Press Association.) .INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Replying to a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce to-day, Mr K. W. McVilly, General Manager of Railways, dealt at some length with various aspects of his Department’s charges and methods. He said, concerning a request for re-consideration of sorting charges, that the charge was not nearly sufficient to cover the cost to which the Department was put. Referring to the penalty for incorrectly stated weights by consignments, he said the DcpartmyM had to protect itself. It was only when offences were frequent and deliberately committed that the double charge would be imposed. Timber weights had been frequently under-stated for many years, and an inspector had had to be appointed. The Department had had the matter of standard weights for bulky lines consideration, and where a satisfactory basis could be arrived at, this method of charging would probably be adopted. Cement and barbed wire were instanced by the deputation as lines made up in approximately constant weights. He would be glad, said Mr McVilly. to meet a committee to discuss rates on dairy produce, which if unsatisfactory to companies, were also unsatisfactory to him. The regulations were framed many years ago and the rates fixed at extremely low figures, which did not cover the cost of loading and unloading. Referring to timber freights he said there was a divergence between builders and sawrnillers regarding charges on imported and local timbers. The policy of the Department had been to encourage local industry. An effort had been made to reduce the charge on hardwoods to the same as those on local limber, but it had been resisted. He would be glad to discuss the matter with a committee. Mr McVilly concluded by saying that he intended to keep in touch with Chambers of Commerce.