RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 13

RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

NO DESIRE TO PENALISE.

MINISTER REBUKES FARMERS.

EXPLANATION OF POLICY. Criticism of the railways tariff by the conference of the Farmers' Union in Auckland this week was answered yesterday by the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of liaihvavs. The conference passed a resolution of protest against the railways tariff being used for protective* purposes, and one speaker suggested delegates should pledge themselves not to use tlio railways where motor transport was available; in that way sufficient pressure could be brought to bear. That suggestion, however, was not adopted.

Mr. Taverner said ho was reluctant to think that the opinions expressed in regard to freights and tho suggestion of a boycott reflected the feelings of the farmers as a whole. To propose that a great department of State should be subjected to such an attack was a most undesirable and unpatriotic gesture. If the fanners, or a section of them, had cause for complaint with reference to tho existing tariff, there was a proper and constitutional manner in wliich they could seek a remedy.

Tho use of tho term "penal rates" in connection with the carriage of imported articles was entirely unwarranted and tended to give a wrong impression, continued the Minister. The actual position was that standard rates were charged on imported articles, and, with a view to encouraging local industry and local production, a reduction was made in tho schedule of charges on local goods, thus tending to aid local industry and provide employment for the workers of New Zealand.

At. the time when the railways were fighting for their very existence, the Minister regretted an influential body should have adopted a resolution and expressed opinions which could only produce an effect contrary to that which should be the desire of every right-thinking person. Everything possible was being done by the department and the management generally to readjust the service in conformity with the present economical position. More than all other agencies put together, tho railways over a long period of years had been instrumental in establishing farmers in their present position, a fact of which the union should be reminded The concessions the farming community obtained from the Government were well known, and should be regarded by those so benefiting as extremely valuable. "I assure the Farmers' Union 1 am prepared to help to tho full extent of my power, but requests must be framed in a proper and constitutional manner," concluded tho Minister.