THE CONVEYANCE OF PRODUCE 149 



9. That great difficulty is experienced by growers in 

 getting the Companies to pay claims for damage or loss, 

 especially in the case of fruit sent at owner's risk in the 

 last two years, in consequence of a certain combination 

 among the Companies. 



10. That other evil results follow from railway 

 combination. 



Much evidence was taken by the Committee on these 

 points and naturally there was some conflict of opinion 

 due to various circumstances the special influence of 

 which we have found in our own experience. In the 

 first place, large dealers, whether growers or agents, can 

 command more attention and consideration from the 

 Railway Companies than the smaller ones can. Secondly, 

 in districts where Market-gardening and fruit growing 

 constitute the chief industry, and large supplies of 

 produce are being forwarded by rail throughout the 

 year better facilities are afforded than where but few 

 are engaged in cultivation. Thirdly, a marked difference 

 is observable wherever two or more Companies are 

 serving the same district. Even though the actual rates 

 may be identical by arrangement, the competition for 

 the trade tends to insure more speedy delivery and 

 greater carefulness on the part of the officials, to the 

 advantage of the sender. In the fourth place, some of 

 the most advanced growers give more attention to their 

 methods of packing and the security of the packages 

 than others do. 



The whole matter requires to be examined in a 

 reasonable way ; the Companies have to consider the 

 interests of their shareholders, and it cannot be expected 

 that they will conduct their business at a loss out of 

 consideration for those engaged in any one industry, 

 however important it may be. On the other hand, the 

 Companies are engaged in the service of the public, and 

 there is a common right to demand fair treatment, a 



