TRANSPORT. 257 



one branch of English agricultural carriage 

 which is fairly large and regular in volume — 

 the milk traffic — the rates are not generally 

 complained of as too high. 



It is quite outside my province to argue a 

 case either for or against nationalization of the 

 railways. But it is quite clear that cheap traffic 

 facilities to markets are of very great importance 

 to farmers, and especially to intensive culture 

 farmers, and that any plans of agricultural re- 

 organization should have a thought to the traffic 

 side of the problem, and should strive to ensure 

 fair rates on railways ; to encourage, when neces- 

 sary, road and canal transport ; and to secure 

 special parcel-post facilities for small packages of 

 garden and farm produce, thus encouraging direct 

 trade between the farmer and his customers. 



Going to Australian conditions for an illustra- 

 tion of traffic rates as affecting agriculture, it 

 will be found that the railways (in all cases 

 State owned) make it a matter of policy to 

 encourage " the man on the land " with very 

 low carriage rates for his goods. Quoting from 

 official figures, the average rate for agricultural 

 produce per ton -mile throughout the Com- 



10 



