77 



special trains to handle the large quantity of fruit offered. Apart from the 

 general opinion that many of the rates levied for this service are excessive, 

 the fact that the packages must be handled rapidly and that a large additional 

 staff of inexperienced men must be employed temporarily, is no doubt the cause 

 of much of the complaint that arises on account of damaged and missing packages, 

 which results in loss to the shipper and annoyance to the consignee. If some 

 plan could be devised whereby skilled, trained and reliable employees only 

 would be attached to the service, a great improvement might be effected in 

 this respect. In view of the revelations as to the huge revenues derived by the 

 express companies in Canada, it would seem that their employees might be 

 better paid, thus securing a better class of men, and that the rates might be 

 materially reduced, and still a fair margin of profit remain for the stockholders 

 of the company. 



These various objections have been brought to the attention of the railway 

 officials from time to time, and considerable effort has been made to improve 

 conditions. Increased railway construction and consequent competition, 

 improved terminal facilities now under way at our large centres, and a steady 

 indstence upon betterments, by the fruitgrowers themselves, will do much to 

 aiJin the desirable object of putting fruit on the market in better condition 

 than heretofore. 



The various officials of the chief trunk roads of this country, from whose 

 territory this traffic originates, are realizing the importance of doing all in their 

 power to improve the facilities for handling this trade, and have frequently 

 expressed their desire to be informed of any reasonable complaints and to receive 

 suggestions- calculated to better the service. They have stated that such 

 complaints will have careful investigation and any suggestions found practicable 

 will be put into effect. 



The Board of Railway Commissioners, appointed a few years ago by the 

 Federal Government, has, since its organization, rendered a very useful service 

 to Canada in adjusting many questions that have arisen between the railways 

 and the shippers. The fruit industry, while not securing redress for all its 

 grievances, has reaped a very substantial benefit from the decisions of the 

 Board. 



In many respects ocean transportation by the principal lines catering to 

 this trade, is very much in advance of the railway equipment. Cold storage 

 compartments, devices for forcing draughts of cool air through the holds of 

 the steamer, more careful loading and unloading of the cargo in the ports and 

 harbours, have all been features of the trade of late years, and have done a 

 great deal to assist in landing Canadian fruit in the overseas market in a condition 

 far superior to that of former years. Very much of the credit for the evident 

 improvement in ocean transportation must be given to the efforts of the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture and the various officials charged with an oversight in con- 

 nection with this service. A very close watch has been kept on all the phases 

 of this trade from the time the goods are delivered at the docks until they have 

 been handed over to the consignee on the other side. Careful note has been 

 made of everything that might tend to assist in landing the shipment in good 

 condition. Vessel owners have had their attention called to any defects in 

 handling or storage, and as a result complaints are now comparatively rare 

 of damage resulting from negligence or lack of proper conditions on board the 

 best ocean liners sailing from Canadian ports. 



LEGISLATION. 



There have been many statutes enacted from time to time, both provincial 

 and federal, that have had for their object the improvement of certain conditions 

 which have arisen that made the strong arm of the law seem necessary and 

 expedient. The most important of these, perhaps, have had to do with regu- 



