RAILWAY GRAIN RATES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3331, 5 December 1883, Page 3

RAILWAY GRAIN RATES.

[To the Editor.] Sir,—l see that Mr Sutter, in his address to the electors of Gladstone, gave them notice that they might be prepared for another farthing in the £ property tax. This is certainly not a pleasant prospect to look forward to, to face a deficit, which, I suppose this farthing in the £ is intended to lower. May I ask Mr Sutter to explain to the electors how this deficit arises is. It the falling off in the revenue, or has the lowering of the grain tariff last year anything to do with it? If the latter, I must protest against imposing any addition to the property tax, on the tax-payers of the colony, for the purpose of giving a premium to land-owners. The small sum charged for carriage of grain from this to, say Christchurch, satisfies me that our railways are being worked at a loss, as far as the grain traffic is concerned. Would not Mr Sutter have done better to give the electors of Gladstone a clear statement about this, instead of recommending another farthing in the pound Property Tax ? Was it not his duty to point out to the Government that they should at once raise the grain rates to their former standard, and thus avoid a further rise in the Property Tax. —I am &c., An Elector. Levels Plains, Dec. 4th, 1883.