232 RAILWAY RATES AND CONDITIONS 



that the other revised rates, however, showed a considerable 

 advance towards equality of treatment, if impartially applied 

 by the company. 



1896. 



Sir Richard Paget resigned the chairmanship of the Com- 

 mittee in March, and Mr. A. F. Jefferys, M.P., was elected in 

 his place. 



The Committee presented two reports this year, both 

 dealing with increases in rates. After much correspondence 

 with the companies some reductions were effected, but they 

 were mostly local and not of great importance. 



Light Railways. 



During 1894 the Council nominated as representatives to a 

 conference on the subject of light railways, arranged by the 

 Board of Trade, Mr. F. A. Channing, M.P., Mr. A. F. Jefferys, 

 M.P., and the Secretary (Mr. R. H. Rew). In December, 

 after a general debate on the subject, it was agreed to collect 

 information for the use of their representatives on the con- 

 ference, as to the need of light railways. Replies were 

 received from twenty-one local Chambers, and these were 

 laid before the conference. In February, 1895, the repre- 

 sentatives presented a report of the proceedings of the con- 

 ference, and the Council unanimously adopted the following 

 resolution : 



" That the provision of light railways would in certain districts 

 be advantageous to agriculturists, provided that no additional 

 burden be thrown upon ratepayers by their construction, and 

 that protection be given against unreasonable or unfair charges 

 and conditions being made for the conveyance of agricultural 

 produce upon them." 



On 30th April the Council further resolved : 



" That as long as light railways are constructed and maintained 

 by Imperial subvention in Scotland and Ireland, no Bill for the 

 construction of light railways in England will be satisfactory 

 which does not provide for like assistance from the Treasury." 



Mr. Ritchie, on behalf of the Government, introduced the 

 Light Railways Bill on 20th February, 1896. On 3rd March 



