WHAT TRADERS CAN DO 225 



in consideration of taking the risk, and no sooner have 

 they got that than they want to be paid the claims 

 exactly as if the fruit was carried at company's risk, 

 and it means continual friction.' 



It would be foreign to my present purpose to enter 

 here upon any discussion of this vexed and complicated 

 question. My immediate object is to see whether or 

 not there is anything in the attitude of the railways 

 towards the traders that would prejudice the prospects 

 of a forward movement in agriculture ; and the evidence 

 forthcoming shows that, though there may not be perfect 

 agreement on all points and especially on ' owner's 

 risk ' and though the railways, from regard for what 

 they consider their own legitimate interests, may occa- 

 sionally have to adopt a policy of self-defence that 

 does not always meet with approval, the railways have, 

 nevertheless, a direct and practical concern in the 

 further development and increased welfare of Rural 

 England. 



Before leaving these various ' Transport Questions,' 

 I should like to quote the following from the ' Guide ' 

 issued by the Newcastle-on-Tyne and District Fruit 

 and Potato Merchants' Association, Limited, to which 

 reference has already been made in the chapter on the 

 Fruit Industry : 



The railway is a great aid to the trade of both growers and 

 merchants. Reasonable rates and quick transit are needed, and 

 we can now be sure of getting them. This has been realized by 

 the Wisbech fruit-growers, and in the past four years they have 

 more than doubled their trade. 



What they have done others can do, and what they have done 

 in the past they can multiply time and again in the future. Rail- 

 ways will help us, but their help is most useful to those who help 

 themselves, as they also work for a profit. . . . 



It is obviously to the advantage of growers to unite in sending, 

 say 4-ton lots of apples and pears at i6s. 8d. per ton to New- 



15 



