THE EFFECT OF EXCESSIVE RAILWAY CHARGES ON THE TRADE OF
THE COUNTRY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Now that the Royal Commission appointed by Parlia- ment to inquire into, and report upon, the conduct of the South African War has issued so instructive and complete a Report; from which much good must result, is it too much to ask that on the reassembling of Parliament the House should call for the appointment of a similar Commission to go into the railway administration in this country? There is no doubt that the excessive charges levied by English railway companies upon raw material and manufactured goods have a prejudicial influence upon our export trade iii particular,- i.e.. by increasing the price of our goods, thus giving foreigners an unfair advantage over us. It is an indisputable fact that German railway companies (perhaps owing to State aid) con- vey goods over equal distances at one-thirduf the cost imposed
by English companies. It is easy to imagine the effect this has upon our trade, and it is a point which should be con- sidered in connection with our fiscal controversy. The one endeavour of our railway companies appears to be to keep up the fictitious price of their stock at any sacrifice to the country. I know it is extremely difficult to remedy this state of affairs owing to the powers originally granted to railway companies, but surely something can be done. Liverpool would support this to a man.—I am, Sir, &c., C. F. STRANGEWLYES BARKER.
36 The Judges Drive, Newsham Park, Liverpool.
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