FREIGHT ON LIVESTOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21326, 29 October 1932, Page 11

FREIGHT ON LIVESTOCK

LEVEL OF RAILWAY RATES FARMERS REQUEST REDUCTION [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday Arguments in support of the claims of farmers for a reduction in freights on livestock were placed before the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon, G. W. Forbes, by a representative deputation to-day. The principal speaker was Mr. D. Jones, chairman of the Meat Producers' Board, who said although the price of lamb on th» Smithfield market was Is per lb. in 1925 and was now only sd, the same railway freights on livestock existed in New Zealand. The number of sheep, lambs and pigs carried on the railways increased from 8,000,000 in 1925 to 10,250,000 in 1931. The charges were 50£ per cent above those in pre-war days, while passenger fares had been reduced until they were virtually the same as those charged in 1913. Mr. Forbes said the position was a difficult one. The Government was anxious to bring down costs in every way it could and he would be pleased to take the matter up with the Railways Board. The board adopted the attitude that concessions produced loss of revenue. This would mean that the loss would fall on the Consolidated Fund, which was already working on overdraft. The Government wished to do whatever it could to assist farmers, for it recognised that the -whole prosperity of the country rested on the farmers. He would go into the question with the Railway Board, which was always anxious to work in with the Government. He explained that there were no differences of opinion between the board and the Government. It was a matter of finance.