RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17410, 24 May 1928, Page 4

RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

foodstuffs and timber. “SURREPTITIOUS PROTECTION.” Protesting against the irregular freights obtaining on goods carried on the railways, the provincial executive of the Farmers' Union introduced the following remit at the conference yeslerday::— , ~ , . “That the railways should not he used for protective purposes,” coupled with another remit, “that the duties and excess railway freights on timber and cement arc oppressive to rural communities and should be abolished forthwith.” , Captain Rushworth (Kaitaia) quoted the following figures showing the amount of preference accorded. -With linseed meal the duty was 20 per cent, preference and 40 per cent, general ad valorem. On top of this there was the railway freight, which on New Zealandmade material was 13s Gd a ton j 00 miles, and on imported linseed 57s 9d a ton per 100 miles. For sucrosinc, calf meal and live stock and poultry foods, with import duly the same as above, the railway freight was 13s Gd a ton (New Zealand made) and 37s Id a ton (imported). The freight for 100 miles for tar and all road surfacing materials was 18s 2d a ton (New Zealand made) and 37s Id a ton (imported). Timber Freights. Continuing, Captain Rushworth stated that the duty on imported timber was 5s lo 7s Gd per 100 feetThere was, in addition, 50 per cent, railway freight. “These figures show that the railways arc being surreptitiously used for protective purposes without Hie authority of Parliament,” Captain Rushworth concluded. The remit was carried.