1904.] 



Railway Rates. 



69 



by reason of such failure, than would otherwise have been the 

 case. Lord Onslow recognises that the Companies are under 

 no legal obligation to provide any particular kind of waggon in 

 order to enable consignors to take advantage of any special 

 or reduced rate, and it is obvious that they could hardly carry 

 on their business if they did not generally maintain this prin- 

 ciple. But friction would be avoided and consignors would feel 

 that they were being equitably treated, if the Companies would 

 make a general rule that where reasonable and sufficient notice 

 has been given they will carry at the lower rate if they fail to 

 provide the special waggon required. 



The same course might be adopted where there is a special 

 rate for a minimum load per truck {e.g., special rates for 30 cwt. 

 of hay to the truck), and small trucks only are provided, with 

 the result that two trucks are required to carry the minimum 

 load, and are charged for at the higher rate. 



Lord Onslow believes that some Companies already adopt 

 this rule, at any rate in cases in which the consignor presses for 

 a reduction. If the practice could be made a general one,, 

 it would certainly conduce to a more friendly feeling between 

 carriers and consignors. 



5. Local Confer ences. 



It was suggested at the meeting which took place at this 

 Office on the 29th July last, that it would be of advantage that 

 local conferences should be held from time to time at which 

 representatives of the Companies might attend in order to. 

 discuss with agriculturists any questions as to rates or facilities 

 which presented themselves for settlement. At such conferences 

 it might be of service that a representative of the Department 

 should be present. The result might be, on the one hand, to 

 enable the Companies to ascertain what were the requirements 

 of their customer, and, on the other hand, to clear away miscon- 

 ceptions which sometimes exist with regard to the charges and 

 arrangements of the Companies themselves. 



The suggestion met with very general approval on the part of 

 those who were present at the meeting, it being pointed out that 

 many Companies already endeavoured through their agents thus 

 to get into touch with agriculturists in their respective districts. 



