CONFERENCE CONTINUED

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3927, 16 July 1937, Page 5

CONFERENCE CONTINUED

ROAD TRANSPORT CHARGES. FARMERS AND CARRIERS SEEK AGREEMENT. After the Courier went to press or Wednesday the conference between the district master carriers and Far mers’ Union representatives, with other business interests, was continu ed, in an effort to reach agreement on the matter of road transport charges, especially for services from Te Awamutu and district points on the railway to the out-districts. Mr E. J. Phelan, No. 1 Licensing Authority, presided. but at 1 p.m. the meeting adjourned to permit of a eohimittee representative of both principal interests conferring in the hope of settlement. Prior to this, however, the discussion on certain points was interesting. Mr Rowan pointed out that the Department had already done that, and the official was present in the room. Continuing, he said if the farmers were not prepared to reach agreement, without reference to the Waikato sub-provincial, it was little use the conference continuing. The chairman said he was rather disappointed, but asked that the conference continue. Mr Crawley said the present delegates from the Farmers’ Union wanted to send their recommendation to the Waikato sub-provincial. To Mr Andrew, Mr Cavers said some of the schedule prices .were not objected to, but certain items were unacceptable. Mr Andrew said the charges were based on distances from the nearest railway station, not from Te Awamutu. Then he asked the Farmers’ Union if it would agree to reduction of the mileage charge from 4s to 3s. Voices: No. At this stage the investigations of the Transport Department in this district were quoted, as showing that the schedule was too high for trips up to six miles, and suggested an alternative. It was stated that operating costs could be divided into three classes. Haulage of timber would allow operating costs to be reduced to 7ld per mile; loading of cream could be reduced, but not below 9d; general carrying round about Te Awamutu could be between 9id and 103 d per mile. The speaker agreed with the farmers that short-haul charges were too high, and recommended his basis, prepared after close investigation in the district itself. He could not compare charges of three years ago. as no schedule was in existence then. Then Mr Andrew read the costs of administration (on which the schedule was based) item by item, and invited comment. Only a few items were questioned, in a general discussion. The chairman then asked if the Farmers’ Union was prepared to meet the Carriers’ Association to reach agreement. Mr Hodgson said the committee would try to reach agreement, and would report to the Waikato sub-pro-vincial. Mr Bryant said the Farmers’ Union committee would report to the big conference to be held in three weeks’ time. The chairman said he wanted to see agreement reached. If not, the Minister would go ahead and fix prices. Mr Andrew said procrastination in reaching agreement was no good to the carriers or to the farmers. Prices to be charged must be agreed upon. The carriers would gladly meet any sections affected and discuss details.

Mr Hodgson, answering a question, said he was prepared to assist in coordinating the carriers’ affairs in order to obtain centralisation. The chairman said agreement had to be reached locally as to fixed rates. All interests wdre being given the fullest opportunity to reach agreement. Mr Sterritt pointed out how farmers could reduce costs and charges of the carriers by pooling their orders for cartage. There was plenty of room for improvement. Mr Hodgson pressed for inspection of carriers’ books, but Mr Rowan countered with a request for inspection of all farmers’ books. Mr Andrew said the Department’s investigation officer had gone very thoroughly into costs, and they had been quoted to the meeting. At this stage Mr Phelan suggested that each side nominate committees of three or four each to try to reach finality, and he would consider their findings later on. •After a little more discussion subcommittees were deputed to carry on the negotiations. Mr Andrew reminded the farmers that the Carriers’ Association had not sought press publicity, and denied a statement that the carriers had issued their schedule of charges before it was needed. He pointed out that the schedule was issued last September, and the award wages were retrospective to July, so there >was certainly no warranty for such a statement. Mr Phelan said that costs had advanced 25 to 40 per cent, and in manycases contractors had been met up to those figures respecting obligations entered into before the rise. Continuing, he urged the parties to confer amicably and reach agreement. He could see no reason for failure. It was impossible for agreement on one charge for all parts of New Zealand. Each district should be able to reach a common understanding, and Te Awamutu w-as a district well suited for agreement between the parties. Mr Clark suggested that as towncarrying charges were not scheduled the Chamber of Commerce could confer with the Carriers’ Association and reach agreement. The main difficulty was to reach agreement between the Farmers’ Union and the Carriers’ Association. The conference adjourned until 2.30 p.m., to allow the sub-committees to confer.