REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE FRUIT INDI T STRY. 541 



61. Some witnesses have suggested that the existing classification is 

 unfair, and also unduly complicated, and have advocated a statutory 

 revision. But this would mean an amendment of the Rates and Charges 

 Acts of 1891-2, and the reopening of all the questions then raised. We 

 do not think that there is evidence enough to justify our recommending 

 this course at present. We would further point out that it is within the 

 power of the companies to adopt in practice a simple and uniform scale, 

 thus getting rid of the complication of the legal classification, as was first 

 done by the Great Western Railway in 1896, and subsequently by other 

 lines. It would, however, be more satisfactory if such a new scale were 

 made general, and, as pointed out by Sir Herbert Jekyll, this can be done 

 by the railway companies agreeing to alter their general classification for 

 fruit, with the assistance of the Board of Trade, under Section 31 of the 

 Act of 1888. 



62. Turning to the question of facilities, there can be no doubt that 

 quick transit and punctual delivery are by far the most important matters 

 in connection with the fruit traffic, and it is here, the Committee think, 

 that the companies most fail. No doubt they have difficulties. If goods 

 trains are. to be run to fixed hours, they might have to be allowed more 

 time than they are at present, and this would not be an advantage to the 

 fruit grower. But, having regard to the perishable character of much of 

 the fruit sent by rail, in consequence of which it is rightly carried at 

 higher rates than non-perishable goods, and to the great importance of its 

 catching the early market, the Committee think that the companies ought 

 to make greater efforts to get fruit traffic through up to time, and to deal 

 in the most liberal manner with claims for losses arising from late 

 delivery. With regard to the waggons and vans supplied, ventilation is 

 all-important, and the sheeted trucks, without sheet supporters, are most 

 unsuitable. Such trucks should be condemned altogether for fruit traffic, 

 and, if growers are unable to obtain a proper supply of covered ventilated 

 goods waggons, or sheeted trucks with supporters, the Committee advise 

 that they should at once combine, and complain to the Board of Trade, 

 taking advantage of the Conciliation Clause mentioned by Sir Herbert 

 Jekyll. With regard to the demand for refrigerator cars, the Committee 

 are not certain that they would be an advantage, except for fruit coming 

 long distances, such as from Scotland to London. Mr. Berry, also, 

 pointed out that if special waggons were built at considerable cost for the 

 fruit traffic, the companies would certainly make this a reason for raising 

 their rates, which they would have a right to do within their maxima. 

 The vans used on passenger trains appear to be satisfactory. 



63. With regard to the refusal of the companies to pay claims for loss 

 or damage, especially in the case of fruit consigned at owner's risk, the 

 Committee are strongly of opinion that it would be a great advantage to 

 all parties if carriage at owner's risk were done away with altogether. 

 Mr. Hennell, as representing the companies, was clearly of this opinion, 

 and stated that when the Great Western Company framed their new scale 

 for goods traffic, they made the rates at company's risk only, and that 

 they did not, as a rule, give owner's risk rates between places where they 

 controlled the traffic, on account of the friction which invariably arose. 

 We believe that if the owner's risk rates at present in existence were 



