PREFERENTIAL RAILWAY RATES FROM WANGANUI

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6945, 26 June 1929, Page 8

PREFERENTIAL RAILWAY RATES FROM WANGANUI

FOXTON AT DISADVANTAGE. The Foxton Harbour board directed the attention of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce yesterday to the necessity of having tho freight rates between Palmerston North and Foxton together with Feilding, placed on the same basis as those now current between Wanganui and Palmerston North, including Feilding. It was suggested that a deputation comprising delegates from the Palmerston North, Foxton, Levin and Feilding Chambers should join forces with tho district M.P.’s in an endeavour to obtain the Minister’s consent to the re-adjust-ment of current rates. All that was required was a pro rata basis of freight rates on transhipments at Wellington and on goods from the South Island ports. If this was done, the department's action would doubtless meet with tho requirements of all sections cf the community. Mr. M. H. Oram intimated that there was no doubt that the Railway department was cutting tho Wanganui-Marton freights so as to compete with motor and seaborne traffic. Foxton was quite right in asking it be given the same preferential treatment. It would not suit the Railway department, because the preferential treatment on the Wanganui lino was not given to help Wanganui but to keep trade on the , railways. | Mr. L. H. Collinson thought the de[partment would get in proportion as much opposition from motor traffic from Foxton as from Wanganui.

Mr. A. P. Stuart pointed out that there was no back loading to Foxton, which made all tho difference. Mr. F. S. Goldingham submitted a report on the position for the Chamber’s guidance. ' Mr. Oram suggested that a sub-com-mittco should be set up to report on 'the matter, as thero were many points I which should not bo overlooked. Many members of tho Chamber knew very little about the question. Tho Chamber agreed to this line of action and Messrs. J. (convenor), F. S. Goldingham, W. G. Boss, W. E. Winks aDd A. P. Stuart were appointed a sub-committee to present a report.