FARMERS’ UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19308, 8 October 1932, Page 16

FARMERS’ UNION

NOTES AND COMMENTS (Contributed). RAIL REBATE ON FROZEN MEAT Frozen beef, veal, mutton, lamb, or pork are scheduled by the Railway Department to be carried at Class “C” rates, e.g., the freight per ton for 20 miles would be 14 10; for 50 miles 32/1 a ton, and for 100 miles 47/- per ton. According to the "General Scale of Charges’’ issued by the Railway Board the charges computed at this rate may be reduced by 30 per cent, on beef and veal, and 20 per cent, on mutton, lamb, and pork being railed to the ship’s side in any case where the Board is satisfied that the meat has been produced from animals conveyed by rail to the Freezing Works. Until quite recently the Railway Department allowed the above rebates on frozen meats carried from the freezing works to the ship as a discount, because most of the live stock had been railed to the freezing works prior to killing. With the advent of motor transport, a considerable quantity of stock which could have been railed was sent to the Freezing Works by motor lorry. This mode of transport to the freezing works became so common, that the Railway Department has been forced to withdraw the rebate on frozen meat, if the live stock has not been railed to the freezing works (except within a 10-mile radius from the works). All stock for freezing purposes must belong to one of the four following categories:— 1. Stock from within a radius of 10 miles from the Freezing Works taken either by rail or motor lorry, or driven. ! In all cases, the rebate will be granted when the frozen meat is sent to the port of shipment. The Railway Board recognises that trucking is not necessary for such a short distance and does not wish to penalise owners. 2. Stook from beyond the 10-mile radius sent to the freezing works by rail. The rebate will be allowed on all meat frozen for export from such stock. 3. Stock from beyond the 10-mile radius sent by motor lorry in preference to the railway, where the railway is available; or driven. If the owner prefers to use the motor lorry, or to travel his stock on foot, the Railway Department considers he should forego

the rebate on the frozen meat railed to the ship’s side.

4. Stock from beyond the 10-mile radius sent by motor lorry where no railway is available. Prior to the excessive use of motor transport the farmer in the backblocks participated in the rebate along with all other owners of live stock sent to the freezing works. According to the recent decision of the Railway Board, farmers in districts remote from the railways will have their rebate stopped on account of the geographical position preventing them from using the railways, since they do not comply with the conditions of the concession. This concession means a lot to farmers in the backblocks at the present time, and should be continued if at all possible. Perhaps another regulation could be adopted by the Railway Board so as not to penalise the owners of stock living more than say 6 or 8 miles from a railway station, provided such stock is not transported for an undue distance in competition with the railways. The Railways Board seems to have taken a definite stand in this matter, and Provincial Executives and A. and P. Associations are respectfully asked to communicate with the Railway Board asking members to further consider the case of farmers in the backblocks who are not served by the Railways, on the grounds that they are losing a concession previously granted to them, through no fault of their own.