CARRIAGE OF PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 9

CARRIAGE OF PRODUCE.

CONCESSIONS ON RAILWAY, COMPLAINT FROM MANAWATU. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COIUtESPONDIiKT. ] PALMERSTON NORTH, Thurtdn/. With the object <5? discussing alleged anomalies in the concessions recsntly granted on the carriage of butter and cheese by rail, a special meeting of the executive of the Manawatu and West Coast Dairy Companies' Association war. held in Paltcarsfcm North, Mr. 8. A. Broadbolt, Lttvio, presiding.* , The chairman said the association was very much concerned with the concessions that had been given the northern dairying interests in the carriage of produce to Wellington. "We recognise it is essential that the railways should be made to pay," said Mr. Broadbelt, "but we think it unjust that the railways should be made to pay to the ndvantage of some dairy companies and to the disadvantage of others. It is possibte that some dairy companies in the province will now send their produce by road instead of by rail, as a. saving pf from 3s to 7s per ton can be made. Dairy companies do not wish to do this, but if the department persists in unfair discrimination it is only reasonable to expect that a good deal of the produce now carried by rail will be pot on ths road." Mr. Hansec, of the Awahnri Company, said that his company hod for 28 years loyally supported ths railways, but it might have to consider the matter of sending its produce to Wellington by road. Me. J. A. Nash, MP., said.—"l think the whole, matter scandalous. The effect will be to smash us on the Wellington market." Mr. Nash added that he was of opinion the Minister of Railways should bo asked to have the position altered. The chairman said his company three weeks ago bswl tun? v down the offer of a road cone act to F'dliugton that would have enabkd ii to save considerably. The i company had been actuated by loyalty to the railways, but there would have to be reciprocity. Mr. W. A. Marshall, representing the Railway Department, said the alteration in "the "'tariff rate was brought about to assist the export industry. The new rata applied to all factories from one end of New Zealand to the other. Mr. E'ibM express sd the view that tho concessions given fcfrenld apply to produce intended for export only. A motion was carried, that in the opinion of th« meeting long-distance freights for dairy produce should :apply to export butter and cheese only, and that Mr.' Marshall be requested to bring the matt*