THE NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1322, 21 March 1884, Page 3

THE NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

(BT TELEGRAPH.)

CuKiSTCHtTRCH, March 21. A meeting of members of the House of Representatives and othere, re railway tariff, wa3 held this morning, when a telegram from the Premier was read, declining to postpone the carrying of the new tariff into force. Fourteen M.HLR.'s were present, and all agreed to telegraph to the Government the following:—" This meeting protests against the new tariff, especially as regards the largely increased rates upon grain, because it lays a special burden upju farmers and 13 thereforeaclass tax, .vhil-j it is ako in effect a tax levied

<nlv on the southern half of the colony, and chiefly upon Canterbury and Otago." The following resolutions were also agreed to, with only ono dissentient (Mr J. E. Brown): —'-'That, in the opinion of this meeting, any increase in railway rates which may bo found necessary or expedient, should bo so adjusted that the railways in tho Middle Island, which are earning higher rates o£ interest, should not bo called upon to make up for the lower rates earned by the lines in the North Island." "That, in tho opinion of thia meeting, no Bach large increase as

. has just been brought into operation, and which is really in the nature of a tax, should be given effect to without having been first referred to and approved by Parliament." Mr Holmes pointed out that the Treasurer admitted that the higher rates were to meet the deficiency in customs, and that therefore they were certainly a tax.

For continuation of A'ews see foitrth page.