PREFERENTIAL RAILWAY FREIGHTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3433, 26 January 1912, Page 2

PREFERENTIAL RAILWAY FREIGHTS

EFFORTS FROM AUGKLAND

NOT SUCCESSFUL

[per tress association.'! AUCKLAND, Jan. 25

The Auckland Provincial Executive -of tlie New Zealand Farmers-’ Union, at a. meeting yesterday, discussed, the different rates ruling on tlie New Zealand railways in respect to local and imported articles. 'Hie secretary, in a report to the executive, said that efforts to have preferential railway freights removed had not yet met with success, andl though the Minister of Railways had received requests- from the executive and many of the branches of the Tin,ion to have them- removed, his. answers had been in the negative. A. letter on tlie subject from the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, was read, in which the Minister stated, that, with a view to assisting tlie development of the country and helping to establish local industries to provide employment for the artisans and other classes of skilled and unskilled labor, the Government many years ago adopted tlie policy of carrying New Zealand natural -products and articles locally manufactured at a lower rate than, the imported articles. That this course was wise was shown by the extent of the local industries to-day, and the general conditions of the people of New Zealand. It was not considered- that the circumstances were such as to warrant any departure from the policy that had. proved so beneficial in tlie past, or that the adoption of the suggestion of the Farmers’ Union would commend itself to th© general community. The Minister added that, after giving the matter full consideration, lie could not see liis- way clear to make any alteration in th© existing tariff charges. After consideration and dissatisfaction with the reply had been expressed, the following resolution was carried; “That copies of tlie reply sent by the Minister for Railways and copies of the preferential rates in existence be sent to the Dominion Executive, and! also to each provincial executives, asking that they co-operate with the Auckland Executive in having the matter brought forcibly before Parliament when it meets.”