The Times of Thursday contains the Report agreed upon by
Mr. Shaw-Lefevre's Select Committee, appointed to inquire into the manner in which the Railway Companies have fixed the new rates, and to consider whether any other than the existing means of settling differences ought to be adopted. The Committee begin by declaring that the course taken by Companies in putting up their rates to the legal maxima was unsatisfactory and unjustifiable." They are of opinion that some further step must be taken to protect traders from unreasonable raisings of rates, even Within the maximum charges defined by Parliament." They hold that where a trader complains that the increase is excessive or unreason- able, and the conciliation clause fails to result in an amicable settlement, the petitioner should be able to go before the Rail- way Commission, who should be empowered to decide whether the increase is just and reasonable or not. The Committee also make recommendations, but of rather a vague kind, in regard to the constitution of the Railway Commission. The main decision sounds somewhat arbitrary, but the Railway Companies who put up so many of their rates to the maximum, with the deliberate intention of teaching the traders not to go to Parliament again for help, have only themselves to thank.
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