RAILWAY CHARGES [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sia,—A correspondent
asks why railway charges are higher than pre-War, though most commodities and services-are cheaper.
The answer is simple, and ought to be well known. Railway consignments pay not only the cost of movement, but also pay interest on debts for land purchase and, con- struction of track and access, as well as current costs of maintenance, and of expensive safety precautions. Owing to road competition, these " on-costs " fall upon a smaller total traffic; and each consignment pays a larger proportion of them than formerly. • • • • • - -
In referenee to another correspondent, who thinks that motorists are overtaxed; -I would point out that ratepayers contribute 6s. in the pound for construction and maintenance of motor tracks. This road tax presses heavily- upon the poorer .ratepayers: even the very poorest pay lcical taxation.
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