RAILWAY COMPETITION

Northern Advocate, 19 May 1934, Page 13

RAILWAY COMPETITION

WITH COASTAL SHIPPING. CAUSE FOB CONCEiTN. HABBOUB BOABD AHEAAL The problem of railway competition with coastal shipping was referred to by Air J. A. Finlayson, chairman of the. Whangarei Harbour Board, in his an■mini report yesterday. ‘‘lt is a matter," he said, ‘‘which has eaused this board, along with others, much concern. ’ ’ ‘ ‘ AVhilo shipping is the life-blood of coastal towns and port authorities and .cannot bo entirely superseded by railway services," he said, ‘‘lt is unfortunate that the Bailways Board finds A necessary to enter into competition in the carriage of general merchandise and produce between Auckland and AVliangaroi to such an extent as to render it unprofitable for the ships to carry on. "It Is unthinkable that goods can be carried at payable rates 130 miles ever an expensively constructed railway in competition with a smooth run of SO miles by sea, and as far as this district Is affected, it appears to be a short-sighted policy on the part of sonm of the principal business houses to Or taking advantage of the cut rates on the railway and thereby forcing you’ hoard to again levy a rate in order to pay its interest, which hitherto had ) een met out of the revenue of Deport. "I would have more to say on tinsubject now, but will content myselt with leaving it in the hope that the Transport Co-ordination Board, recent! v constituted, will be shortly dealing with the matter in the interests of the country as a whole." ‘‘l think that if the business poopl gcuorally would look at. this ciucstion in a broad light, they would realise the: it is to their advantage to give their trade to the shipping," said Air E. I. Whimp. "If it were not for the shipping the business people would be paying heavily for freight on the railwa As soon as the business people realise this and put their trade in the way ef the shipping the sooner wo will Kri able to reduce the rate we have had to levy.' ’ The question was discussed later when a letter was received from the chief executive ollicer of the Transport Co-ordination Board seeking the board’ 3 co-operation in its endeavour to solve the transport problem of the Dominion "Tliis is a vital matter," said Air d. K. Holmes, proposing that the chairman and Messrs L. A, Johnson and E. L. AATiimp, with the secretary, reply to questionnaire submitted with the letter. Air Johnson gave illustrations of the bolstering up of the railways, which, he considered .should be supported, but which should not be spoon fed. Tim hacking rip of the railways was being overdone, and it was absurd the wav the railways were "barging in" lo take anything. "Thai truck system is minder, as far as we are concerned," said Atr J Gardner. The motion was-carried.