FREIGHTS REDUCED ON PRIMARY PRODUCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7071, 2 February 1933, Page 6

FREIGHTS REDUCED ON PRIMARY PRODUCE

15 Per Cent Off Many

Commodities

“WELCOME MEASURE OF RELIEF,” SAYS MR FORBES

For Press Association

WELLINGTON, Last Night

In a recent statement presented to the House of Representatives it was stated that arrangements were being made with the Government Railways Board to bring about a 15 per cent, reduction in freight charges on certain commodities. In a further announcement te-day, the Primo Minister stated these arrangements had now been finalised and the reduction 15 per cent, would bo effective on and after sth February. The following commodities will benefit by reduction :—Butter, cheese, hides, sheepskins, calfskins, fat, tallow, wool, cattle, sheep, pigs, calves, horses, frozen meat for export, carrots, mangolds, parsnips, potatoes, onions and turnips. Explaining tho operation of the concession, Mr. Forbes mentioned that the reduction would apply to the classiiied rates as set out in the railway scale of charges. There are, however, already in operation a large number of local rates between specified points for certain of the commodities concerned. These local rates incorporate the reductions below the classiiied rates, in many cases greater than 15 per cent., and in such instances the local rates will remain unaltered. Where in any case the local rates are higher than classified, the rates, less 15 per cent. 4 the latter rates will apply. Tho Prime Minister said the reduction in transport costs represented an important step in the direction of assisting those engaged in the farming industry of the Dominion to reconcile the costs incidental to production with the seriously-reduced selling prices of their products. Tho reduction was on a sufficiently substantial scale to afford a welcome measure of relief to the primary producers and in amplification of this aspect it was mentioned as a typical illustration that for a journey of 100 miles, livestock would be reduced by 11s 4d per truck, butter and cheese by 5s 7d per ton, and hides and skins by 8s 8d per ton. Other commodities affected by the reduction would benefit along similar lines.