STOCK FREIGHTS

Southland Times, Issue 21850, 29 October 1932, Page 5

STOCK FREIGHTS

REDUCTION SOUGHT DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER BURDEN FOR PRODUCERS (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 28. Arguments in support of the claims of farmers for a reduction in freights on live stock were placed before the Prime Minister by a representative deputation. The principal speaker was Mr D. Jones, chairman of the Meat Producers’ Board, who said that although the price of lamb on Smithfield market was 1/- lb in 1925 and now only 5d the same railway freights on live stock existed in New Zealand. The number of sheep, lambs and pigs carried on the railways hack increased from 8,000,000 in 1925 to 10,250,000 in 1931. Charges in New Zealand were 50J 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 the costs in every way it could and he would be pleased to take the matter up with the Railways Board. The board had adopted the attitude that concessions produced a loss in revenue. This would mean that the loss would fall on the Consolidated Fund which was already working on an overdraft. The Government wished to do whatever it could to assist the farmers, for it recognized that the whole prosperity of the country rested on the farmers. They must be kept in operation so as to be in position when an improvement came in prices. He would go into the question ■with the Railways 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.