74 



Railway Rates. 



[may, 



5. Local Conferences. 

 Whilst it has been the frequent practice of the Railway 

 Companies to meet traders and others by deputation or other- 

 wise on such matters, the Railway Companies cordially 

 acquiesce in the suggestion that there should be local con- 

 ferences held between the agriculturists, the Agricultural 

 Department, and the Railway Companies, and they would be 

 willing to arrange for the representatives to attend such 

 conferences, believing it would be the means of removing a 

 great deal of misconception. It would, however, be desirable 

 that the Railway Companies should be furnished with particu- 

 lars as to any complaints of rates and facilities, so that exact 

 information may be obtained before any meeting takes place. 

 It should be borne in mind that at the present time the Railway 

 Companies, through their agents and representatives, are in 

 touch not only daily at their stations with the senders of traffic, 

 but more especially at the periodical corn markets and live 

 stock sales. 



6. Issue of Information and Advice. 



The Companies generally have for a long time past taken 

 steps to disseminate amongst the agricultural community all 

 information as to their rates and arrangements, but they would 

 be glad if the Board of Agriculture could inculcate the desira- 

 bility amongst farmers and others of co-operation, combination, 

 and the better packing of their traffic, in any way most 

 suitable. 



The Companies would be willing to distribute pamphlets 

 issued by the Board of Agriculture, to the station agents for 

 circulation in the neighbourhood to those to whom the informa- 

 tion would be of service. 



7. Foreign and Colonial Produce. 



The railway rates from ports to inland stations are not 

 applicable exclusively to foreign produce, the rates being on the 

 contrary applied indiscriminately to home-grown, foreign, or 

 Colonial produce, so long as the conditions attaching to them 

 are complied with. 



