1922.] 



Eailway Rates and Aoricti^tuur. 



89 



preferential treatment, for while rates on coal and coke traffic 

 were increased 25 per cent., Class A 80 per cent.. Class B 40 per 

 cent.. Class C 50 per cent., and Classes 1 to 5 60 per cent., plus 

 in each case a fl:it rate addition varying fioni 8d. to Is. per ton. 

 such articles as fruit, vegetables, hay and straw were only in- 

 creased 25 per cent, plus the appropriate flat rate addition. 

 The rates on fresh milk, manure in bulk or packed, basic slag, 

 and b"me foi- acjricultural pui-poses were not increased at all. 



5. On 7th July, 1920, the Minister of Transport informed the 

 Rates Advisory Committee that it was estimated the Railways 

 would show a deficiency of £54,500,000 per annum as from 

 1st April, 1920. As the Government had decided that the 

 Railways were to be on a self -supporting basis, and not to be 

 subsidized by the taxpayer, the Committee were instructed to 

 advise w^hat increase was necessary in rates, tolls, fares, dues 

 and charges to yield by the end of June, 1921 (subsequently 

 extended to 31st July, 1921), the total deficit w^iich had l)egun 

 to accrue from 1st April, 1920. 



6. As the result of the Committee's findings, the increased 

 rates dating from 15th January, 1920, were rescinded and 

 altered tolls, rates and charges on and after 1st September, 1920. 

 were authorised. With the sole considerable exception of manure 

 in bulk, packed manure, basic slag and lime in 2-ton loads for 

 use as agricultural manure in the T"^nited Kingdom, which were 

 increased 50 per cent, plus certain flat rate additions, the rates 

 on all traffic in Classes A to C and 1 to 5 ('including coal and coke) 

 were increased by 100 per cent, over the rates in existence on 

 14th January, 1920, plus flat rate additions varying from 6d. 

 to Is. per ton. 



7. On 19th August last the Railways Act, 1921, received the 

 Royal Assent, and by Section GO of that Act the Railway Com- 

 panies are empowered until the " appointed day." when 

 standard charges come into force, to ma Ke such charges as were 

 in force on 15th August, 1921, which charges are ('as respects 

 merchandise) the increased charges mentioned in paragri^ph 6 

 which came into operation on 1st September. 1920, subject to 

 the proviso that any representative body of traders may apply 

 to the Rates Tribunal set up under Part III of the Railways 

 Act to reduce the charges now in operation or any of them, arid 

 any trader interested in any particular charge may ap])ly to 

 reduce that charge. 



8. The Rates Tribunal is a permanent court, consisting of 8 

 members appointed for a term not exceeding 7 years and in 



