The Express.
London, England, 1865-02-15 00:00:00

OUR RAILWAY SYSTEM.

Kr. ROEBUCK roes to ask the eisnotTcir of the Exche-
quer idiviVise it en the intention of the govemment to in-
stitute say and wlmitilimraymoizto our milway system,
with • view to future should omit lirgidatioa
ap r
c ellistectkel advantageous ?
ELLOR of the IMPLEQITER—Bir lam
quite aware of my hoe. and leaned friendre motive in
asking the quadric, and I skill eedeavour to give to it so
definite • reply es that there shall be no esinuiden
ea to the intendoes of goveniment either on the tgaanetdb3
the house or the publia it is the fidelities of herM=
government to advise tie crown to twist • ix.
foe the purpose of inquiring into the emiscenkal
questions connected with our railway system that
is, into the cost of caineyanos by railway', and
the eh sign generally made by raliway companies
to she public. It is not our intention to take any steps
which could at all enmpeaslee or oonunit either ourselves
or parliament to any atioa in • matter of such vest
Importance. The whole object of the proposed measure is
to bring the facts and information bearing on the an, into
• form in which they may be thoroughly available for mem-
bers of parliament as well as the public at large. Every
use is aware that railway conveyance has become owl of
ow most vital instruments of traffic and transit—indeed
the principel one; and we are further aware that the
keeelits which it wafers on society are innumerable ; bat,
If course, we are likewise aware of the VIA=
difficulties which are found to exist in the sp.
=of the laws which bear on the subject. For
that one which ordains equal **almond under
equal eirounistanms is full of difficulty. It in knows to
members of this hones and to the government that a great
feeling of anxiety pervades the pr3doetive classes of the
country, not to moth to the effect that soy blame is
aseribaM• to say railway company, whose duty it is to pro-
vide good divideoda for the shareholders, but rather to find
oat whether it is possible to procure still further extension,
of the benefits of the system. Therefore, I beg it to be
understood that it is not our intention to advise the appoint-
ment of • commission to inquire into any subject of
po
licy. We are of opinion that in doing so we
be prejudging the intimates' of parliament
and trespassing on grounds which Woo; excluively to par-
liament. It is merely into the ronameal fads of the cam
that the commission will have to inquire, and the only ques-
tion is whether the inquiry should start in the first instance
from • royal commiesion, or from • committee of this bans.
If we were going to inquire into questions of policy perhaps
a committee would he better, but we do not entertein any
each intention. On the other hand, we have te take into view
the question of the charges and cost of railway conveyance,
especially of goods and minerals, • subject so vast, and re-
quiring so close and laborious an application, that I thick it
would sot be possible toe:pact from say mem/mot this hones 1
the time necessary for the duty—indeed I doubt whether it
could be done within the limits of the 'mien of parliament.
It has therefore been determined to give the crown the
advice I have mentioned, and in a short time I hope to be
able to lay on the table the terms of the commission, wherein
boo, members will find defined with accuracy and precision
the peculiar duties to be performed.
Ms. ROEBUCK would suggest that the area of the coin-
mindoo's duties should be so extended as to permit of in-
quiry into the circumetanees which led to the creation of
railways.
Mr. WALPOLE thought that an address dtould be moved
Is the first instance in that house, which would give the
ntow boo. gentleman the opportunity of explaiaing, modi-
, ar extending, if necemary, the functions of the cam-
.