RAILWAY FREIGHTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 242, 11 September 1929, Page 2

RAILWAY FREIGHTS

GOODS FROM FOXTON. MOVE FOR REDUCTION. Recently endeavours have been made to Uave the Railway Department lower the rate ot treigiit- charges on goods from the port of Foxton to Redding and Palmerston North, and the Foxton Harbour Doard have enlisted the services ot the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, as weli as other bodies, in order that representative action couid be taken. When the Chamber of Commerce met yesterday afternoon, the matter was again discussed. In a letter to Mr J. Linklater, M.P., a copy of which was beiore the meeting, the Minister of Railways (Hon. \V. 13. Taverner) stated that, with reference to the interview which Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., and Mr Linklater had had with the General Manager of Railways regarding the question of the institution ot special rates from i'oxton to Palmerston North and Redding, the matter had had careful consideration, it had, however, been concluded that the circumstances did not justify the institution of such rates. The special rates operating from Wanganui had been made to meet special circumstances existing in regard to the transport of goods through that port. Similar circumstances did not exist at Eoxton and it would not, therefore, be justifiable to institute special rates from tho latter place in the absence of those circumstances.

Concerning the question of Foxton as a port ot entry for goods to Palmerston North, it was pointed out that, at present, the total charges on goods of classes A, ii, C and D through Foxton were cheaper than through \\ anganui, and it could scarcely be contended that the failure of Foxton to obtain trade was duo to the operation of any special rate applying to Wanganui. It was regretted that the request for special rates could not be met.

A committee from the Chamber of Commerce, appointed to meet the Foxton Harbour Board concerning the matter, met that body on September 2, the committee comprising Messrs McKenzie, Stuart, Ross, Goldingliam and Winks. Both the Foxton and Levin Chambers of Commerce were also represented. The committee, it was reported, had had a prior meeting with the Railway Department’s representatives and were able to appreciate many difficulties. After the discussion at the meeting, it was decided that a special committee be formed to thoroughly examine the suggestion in all its aspects, the committee to forward its recommendations to the Foxton Harbour Board, it would then bo decided if a deputation were to wait on the Minister of Railways... The committee appointed was to be a representative one and the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce was requested to appoint one member. When discussing tho matter, Mr M. H. Oram did not consider that the Minister of Railways’ reply to Mr Linklater was at all satisfactory. The Minister had stated that there were certain circumstances at Wanganui that were not found at Foxton. However, he had not said what those circumstances were. A, B, C and D charges should naturally be cheaper from Foxton to Palmerston North than from Wanganui, as only half the distance of carriage was entailed. The point was that the rate of charge was too high and it had an adverse effect on Foxton as a port. The matter was being thoroughly investigated by the- committee from all angles and some definite result should be obtained.

On Mr Oram’s suggestion, Mr Goldingham was appointed the chamber s representative on tho committee anl the discussion lapsed.