Co-operative Agricultural Societies. 71 



the head office, and the matter would be thoroughly investigated. 

 The Railway Administration, after all, was bound to carry out the 

 Railway Act, which had been formulated, not by the Administration, 

 but by Parliament. The Administration's attitude in regard to losses 

 on the railways was simply this, that it was carrying the goods at 

 ^ucli a low rate that it could not possibly undertake responsibility 

 for losses without an extra charge being paid. Such losses were due, 

 not only to bags dropping off the trucks, but also to thefts, which 

 the Administration had done its best to prevent, but without success. 

 He would suggest that each of the societies furnish the Administra- 

 tion with a statement indicating the number of bags lost in transit 

 during the past year, so that it could be seen what ground there was 

 for their complaint. The charges made by some of the delegates 

 regardiDg the non-payment of compensation in cases where the extra 

 Id. per bag had been paid, etc., would be investigated by him upon 

 his return to headquarters. 



Item No. 1 (h). — Lower raihvay tariffs for agricultural machinery 

 and requirements. 



The delegates expressed the view that the existing railway tariff 

 for agricultural machinery and requirements was excessive. The 

 transport on a consignment of IT bales of grain bags from Port 

 Eljzabth to Leeuwdoorns amounted to £28, and on 1500 rolls of wire 

 from Delagoa Bay £44, while on wood the transport charges were 

 more than the market value of the wood itself. Such a state of 

 affairs did not tend to encourage production, and a reduced tariff 

 was highly necessary. 



Mr. Oettle pointed out that agricultural implements took up 

 about five times as much room as other articles, and were being 

 conveyed at an exceptionally low rate. The expenses of the railways 

 had increased to such an extent that it had been found necessary to 

 increase the tariff charges by 33^ per cent., and he could not hold out 

 much hope of a reduction. 



The following resolution was then passed unanimously : — 

 " That the Railway Administration be requested to make pro- 

 vision for a lower tariff in respect of agricultural implements." 

 IteTTi No. 1 (c) and (d). — 



(c) The provision of more facilities by the railivays to 



co-operative societies. 



(d) Discussion of the report of the Central Agency in con- 

 nection ivith the resolution passed by a previous congress 

 concerning the hiring of stands by co-operative societies 

 on railway ground, the construction of railway lines to 

 the stands, and the payTnent therefor. 



The report of the Central Agency was, briefly, to the effect that 

 a deputation from the agency interviewed the General Manager of 

 Railways in connection with this matter. Figures were submitted 

 to them to prove that co-operative societies were being treated much 

 more leniently than the general public as regards rent for railway 

 stands, and the Railway did not see its way clear to reduce the rent. 

 As far as the construction, maintenance, and repair charges of the 

 sidings were concerned, only the actual costs incurred by the 

 Administration were recovered from the societies, and the Admini- 

 stration would not be able to reduce the charges without incurring 

 a loss itself. 



