THE CONVEYANCE OF PRODUCE 153 



efforts for ensuring the prompt delivery of perishable 

 fruit. 



That the Companies be urged to provide suitably 

 ventilated goods vans for fruit traffic. That sheeted 

 trucks without sheet supporters should never be 

 used. 



That it is most desirable all fruit be consigned at 

 Company's risk, and that the so-called owner's risk 

 rates be abolished, the rates at Company's risk being 

 reduced to a figure approximating to those now in 

 force at owner's risk, providing the Companies with just 

 a sufficient margin for the extra liability incurred. 

 That 5 per cent would be a fair margin. 



That, in the event of owner's risk rates being re- 

 tained, the liability of the Railway Companies should 

 not be confined to cases where only " wilful miscon- 

 duct," but to those where "culpable negligence" can be 

 proved. 



The Committee also suggest that in view of the 

 recent tendency to combine among the railways, it 

 would be an advantage if the Government were to 

 appoint an official or a Department to watch over the 

 Companies' actions, and to report to Parliament. 



That in the case of all serious grievances against the 

 Railway Companies, growers and merchants should at 

 once send their complaint to the Railway Department 

 of the Board of Trade, and ask them to exercise their 

 powers under the Conciliation Clause of the Act of 

 1888. 



That in years of glut, the Companies should be 

 urged to temporarily lower their rates for fruit, just as 

 excursion passenger fares are lowered on special 

 occasions, and that if this cannot be done by agree- 

 ment, it is desirable that the Railway and Canal Traffic 

 Act of 1894 should be amended for the purpose. 



