RAILWAY TARIFFS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 18

RAILWAY TARIFFS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Should the Railway Commissioners accede to the request of the pastoralists for a reduction of tho rates now charged on fat stock, in the face of the fact that revenue from the carriage of grain is fast receding, they will perpetrate an injustice to the general taxpayer. No section of tho community is in a better position to support the railways than tho holders of fat stock ; both mutton and lamb has been fetching good prices in London since November last, and on all sides reports are heard of very favourable returns to exporters. The Commissioners need not anticipate any extra traffic if rates are reduced, because growers of fat stock know too well that the effect of driving instead of railway means that the very cream of the condition of their animals would be wasted to such an extent as to vary tho quality from first to second-class. Therefore practically all fat stock is and will be railed despite present rates. With store stock the conditions are very opposite, and reductions might advantageously be made, because this class of stock suffer little by driving and is generally travelled the opposite direction to fat, therefore tho waggons would bo used when returning empty. If any reductions can be possibly made it should be on behalf of tho dairy industry, because this lino of business is suitable for the small and struggling farmers, and it is those that require assistonce and encouragement, not tho pastoralists, who, notwithstanding divers reports of general depression, admit readily that their estates are paying very handsomely. —I am, &c. General Taxpayer.