146 



Report on Railway Rates. 



[JUNE, 



means of ascertaining whether such preference exists in any- 

 particular case, and no practical means of testing the question 

 whether such preferential treatment, if it exists, amounts to 

 qndue or illegal preference. 



3. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries should obtain, 

 when requested, for the information of agriculturists, particulars 

 of rates for imported traffic and the division of these rates into 

 charges for sea and land traffic and for dock, harbour, shipping, 

 and carting charges. 



4. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, on complaint being 

 made that a rate for home agricultural produce is higher in pro- 

 portion to cost of carriage than a rate charged for the carriage 

 of foreign produce of a similar kind, should enquire and consider 

 whether there is prima-facie ground for such complaint. 



5. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries should, in any case 

 where they think it desirable, advise and assist the agriculturists 

 concerned to bring the matter before the Board of Trade. 



6. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries should, when they 

 think it desirable, direct one of their officers, or such other 

 person as they think fit, to attend before the Board of Trade to 

 assist the agriculturists to state their case. 



7. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries should have power, 

 subject to the sanction of the Treasury, to pay a part or the 

 whole of any expenses incurred in connection with the bringing 

 of such cases before the Board of Trade. 



8. A report of the proceedings in such cases before the Board 

 of Trade be laid before the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 

 and that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries should report 

 annually to Parliament on all cases of alleged preferential 

 treatment in connection with which they have rendered assistance 

 to agriculturists. 



9. In any case where it appears desirable in the interests of 

 agriculture, the Board of Agriculture should approach the Board 

 of Trade with regard to the appointment by the Board of Trade, 

 under Section 6 of the Regulation of Railways Act of 1873, of 

 a person to take proceedings before the Commissioners. 



