38 



Raiiavay Bates and Agriculture. 



[Apr., 



RAILWAY RATES AND AGRICULTURE. 



As there seems to be some misapprehension with regard to 

 the rights and opportunities of agriculturists to secure a reduc- 

 tion in the present burden of railway rates, the Ministry has 

 prepared the folloY\ang memorandum setting out the situation 

 created by recent administration and legislation. 



1. By Section 3 (1) (c) and (e) of the Ministry of Transport 

 Act. 1919, Bailway Companies w^hose undertakings were in 

 possession of the Crown were required to follow any directions 

 the Minister of Transport might give as to the rates, fares, tolls, 

 dues and charges to be charged, and such Bailway Companies 

 were authorised to charge the rates, etc., directed by the Minister 

 notwithstanding any agreement or statutory provisions then 

 limiting their charging powers. 



2. By Section 21 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, 

 a Committee was established called the Bates Advisory Com- 

 nn'tfop. consistino- of five persons, two being representatives of 

 the interests of trade and agriculture nominated by the Board 

 of Tr;^de after consultation with the Central Chamber of Agri- 

 culture among other bodies, one representing transportation 

 and one labour, with a Chairman experienced in law. An addi- 

 tional member ^vas afterwards appointed by the Minister under 

 a discretionary power conferred by the same section. This 

 Committee was set up for the purpose of giving advice and 

 assistance to the Minister and for safeguarding any interests 

 affected by any directions the Minister of Transport might give 

 as to the charges to be made by the railways, and when con- 

 sidenngf any question of increase the Committee was to advi=?e 

 the Minister how any increased revenue found to be necessary 

 could best be raised from the various branches of railway traffic. 



3. In October, 1919, the Minister of Transport requested 

 the Bates Advisory Committee to advise him as to the best way 

 of raising additional revenue to the extent of £45.000,000 per 

 annum. This sum. was subsequently increased by £5,000,000. 

 The Bates Advisory Committee reported to the Minister on 

 16th December, 1919, and the Minister, in the latter part of 

 December. 1919. adopting the recommendations of the Com- 

 mittee, directed the Bailway Companies to increase the tolls, 

 rates and charges published in their rate books by certain per- 

 centages and flat rate additions on and from 15th January. 1920. 



4- Under the Minister of Transport's direction, and in 

 accordance with the advice of the Committee, agriculture received 



