NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11533, 19 November 1900, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

THE QUESTION OF FREIGHTS. A disputation of members of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Hokianga branch), waited on Mr. Hanson (manager of the Northern Steamship Company) on his arrival by tho Ngapuhi at Koluikohu recently. The deputation was composed of Messrs. R. E. Lester (representing Kohukohu and Rawene), Molntyre and Ogle (tip-river settlements), Andrewos (Heads and Wnimftmaku), Glass (Taheko and back settlements). The object was to discuss the question of freights. The manager staled that he could not reduce tho general freights from 27s 6d, as flour and sugar were already carried at £1. The railway charged 6s per ton to take it from Onohunga to Auckland. That left the company practically £1 Is and lis respectively, and ho did not see how he could do it cheaper. He thought the railway authorities should come down. The company had to do all tho loading nt their expense. With regard to shipping stock, he would mako tho following scale:—Cattlo: Fat, 15s; large stores, 7s 6d ; yearlings and under, ss. Sheep: ■ Fat, Is ■: stores, 9d. Pedigree stock as at""present. With regard to settlers' produce, when they ha:l good sized lines to ship ho would make special rates to encourage them to export. If the settlers started butter or cheoso factories, ho would do all he could to assist, them. He would have great pleasure in carrying the district exhibit for the Auckland show free down and back. Ho explained that the high rates ruling were to a great on tent caused by the way they were dictated to by the Government, who compelled them to run their steamers how, when, and at what price the Government liked, which seriously handicapped them against reducing the "rates. With regard to a question put hv Mr. Glass, as to why ho did not give country boys a chance on his steamers, Mr. Hanson staled that according to tho law he could only employ them as cabin-boys, with the hope of rising in the service, yet he could take foreigners from sailing ships.