RAILWAY GOODS RATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 9

RAILWAY GOODS RATES.

CONSIGNMENTS TO WAIKATO.

FULLER TRAFFIC WANTED;

THREAT MADE TO CONCESSIONS.

[BY TELECRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON". "Wednesday.

A measure to, combat the competition of motor transport in the "VVaikato will shortly bo undertaken by the Railway 'Department. ; > 1r .Mr. |J. Mac Donald, railway business agent, said to-day that, very shortly firms who divided tho transport of their goods between tho Railway Jlepai'tmcpt and other agencies would bo ■ deprived of tho cut rates allowed on commodities such as flour, ■ wheat, chaff, cement and fertilisers, Under its present system of operating tho Railway Department was in a position to grant liberal concessions in rates to firms who had the wholo of their highrated goods transported by rail. Although rumours to the contrary had been in circulation, the present tariff would remain unaltered, but the concessions now allowed would be curtailed in certain cases. In the past few months the quantity of goods carried in the Waikato by rail had increased considerably, but a few largo firms wero still giving the cream of thoir goods traifis to road transport ngencics. At present the railways were carrying low-rated merchandise for the same firms at unprofitable rates. In future only, thoso firms who had tho wholo of their goods convoyed by rail, where practicable,. would enjoy tho lower rates. Under the new system of charging, flour at present carried by rail from Auckland to Hamilton for 7s 8d a ton would be charged at 34s 8d a ton. Similarly, rates for flour, grain, etc., would be increased from 12s 9d to 34s 8d a ton, and the tariff on cement'would be increased from 19s Id to. 34s Bd. Mr. Mac Donald added that before the new provisions were brought into operation the position would be discussed with the firms concerned.