SCRUPLES AND PREJUDICES 341 



They began to use just the same arguments as 

 every other railway company, more or less, that 

 has moved in the matter has heard. " They had 

 always kept their trade to themselves, and in- 

 tended to go on doing so, as they did not wish 

 that their neighbours should know their business." 

 It was further declared that " if the railway 

 carried the goods for nothing it would not assist 

 the producer to any extent. There was generally 

 a good market near home for all that could be 

 produced, with the advantage of getting ready 

 money without worry or risk." The railway 

 officials pointed out to them that, to obtain the 

 fullest benefit of low railway rates, it was always 

 desirable and frequently necessary that the pro- 

 ducers within a given area or district should 

 make arrangements for grouping their lots. If 

 they would only overcome their prejudice against 

 co-operation there was no reason whatever why 

 they should not appoint one of their number to 

 cany out the details for them. 



Where, however, it was found difficult to in- 

 duce the farmers to combine, there was generally 

 some enterprising middleman who would buy 

 direct from the fanners— themselves quite satis- 

 fied to get cash down — and do the grouping of 

 lots on his own account, so as to lake advantage 

 of the railway company's concessions. The 



