FREIGHTS ON SILK

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12009, 11 December 1924, Page 4

FREIGHTS ON SILK

REDUCTIONS REQUESTED. “SILKS’NOT A: LUXURY.” Mir H. D'.'Benin; It presided at the meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday, which was well attended. -RAIL ORfBOAT. . Hw secretary repotted that he had written to the commercial agent of the Railways Department, Stating that a; member interested in the importation of silks had pointed out an anomaly in rates over the railways that militated corsiderably against the use of the railway service for the conveyance of silks, more particularly over the .Auckland lines where the bulk of such goods oould he ’sent by rail instead of by beat as at present. The freight charged was 50 per cent, more for such goods than for general drapery, and no additional risk for the extra charge was borne by the railway authorities. - This special rating had been discarded by other railway services throughout the world, as silks today were recognised as a necessity and hot as a luxury as they were SO years ago. Owing to the introduction of artificial Silks thdse goods were cheaper to-day 'even than woollens, and would in some articles even approach the price of cotton. •The ohamber ventured the • opinion that the request, in this instance, was a reasonable- one, and would be pleased if the department could look into this special rating to see whether relief .could be granted and the anomaly re•moved- . . . Mr. G.; T., Wilson, for the Railway Department, said the matter was being considered with other suggestions, and a reply would jbe forwarded in the 'eourbe of a few days.