RAILWAY TRANSPORT

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 3202, 22 February 1930, Page 4

RAILWAY TRANSPORT

'ANOTHER GOODS CONCESSION.

FREE CARRIAGE FROM SHIP.

Further concessions in freight charges on goods transported from Auckland to the Waikato are to be made by the Railway Department. From next Monday merchandise for Hamilton, 'Frankton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu will be carried from the ship to the rail at Auckland free of charge, thus effecting a saving of 6/3 a ton to traders. A system of customs clearing for country customers will also be instituted, and a special officer appointed to control this work. In effect, the railway will organise a shipping department of its own. It is stated that the new system is regarded with favour, especially by the large country firms which indent their own merchandise. Figures are available showing the increase in inward goods traffic at Frankten, Hamilton and Cambridge since the system of free delivery was brought into operation in these towns. For the ~i first 16 weeks the traffic was 6111 tons, = compared with 4297 tons for the same / period the previous year. Since the reduction in freight charges on butter came into operation, large quantities formerly carted to Auckland by road have been carried by rail. For the first 16 weeks the quantity of butter sent to Auckland by rail from Frankton' increased by 2337 tons. Over the 16 weeks for which figures are available, the value of the inward and outward goods traffic at Frankton, Hamilton and Cambridge increased by £5134. This figure was reached after making allowance for the cost of transport to rail and free delivery. BUSINESS TO CAMBRIDGE. Yesterday when an Independent representative approached the local stationmastor (Hr S. D. Munn) as to the volume of merchandise traffic to Cambridge since the inauguration of the lower schedule of freights which have been operating for some time, he stated that -it was by no means what it might ; be, though there had been an increase. As compared with August last year, when the total was £139 (before the freights were lowered), the revenue earned for the four weeks ended February Ist totalled £147. The in l - crease in revenue was offset by the fact that the expenditure had been heavier , in that the department had to "pay cartage on delivery from the local station to the consignee.; What is going to happen if the volume of business does not increase? was the question asked by the pressman, Mr Munn replying that the department had already given consideration to the matter, as applying generally. The department had to get the business, and where business men were only giving the Railway D class and heavier classes of goods, and giving the lighter, more profitable goods elsewhere the department would bring the rates of goods below class D up to the rates for that class. For instance, if the suggestion operated the rate on flbur would be increased very considerably. The matter had been placed before the business people, and it was hoped that greater appreciation of the reduced rates brought in some time ago would be shown.