The Express.
London, England, 1868-04-08 00:00:00

REGULATION OF RAILWAYS BILL.

This day a public meeting was held at the
London Tavern to consider • clause in • bill now before
parliament for the regulation of railways ; Mr. S. Mos=
rn the chair.
The CHAIRMAN said that they had met on the present
occasion to protein against vexatious interference with the
freedom of trade. For a long period the trader
of the City of London bad been accustomed to inclose in
the bales of goods "mall parcels from other houses to their
customers in the country. The effect of the clause in the
bill which they met to protest against and to oppose
would be the absorption of the entire carrying
and delivering of goods throughout the kingdom
in the hands of the railway company. Even
in the conveyance privately of a parcel from • friend
their liberty would be absolutely taken from them. It
...mad to be a bill to help the railway companies in diffi-
culties. Nothing could exceed the mismanagement of
the railway system of the United Kingdom. The railway
interest was 150 strong in the House of Commons.
It was therefore able to bringe powerful influence on the
Board of Trade. They must oppose that influence by a
more powerful influence, that of public opinion. (Hear,
hear.) Their interest and .the interest of the con-
diming public lay in maintaining the intervening carrier.
They represented the case to the Duke of Richmond,
and their representations bad been favourably and kindly
listened to. They must throw some light into the dark
recesses of the Board of Trade. They were met specially
to take into their hands the proceedings connected with
the small parcels. Upon this point there wee not the
slightest divergence of opinion amongst them. The rail-
way companies should endeavour to amend their po-
sition by making more economical artangementsl
and attending better to their own business, not
by interfering with the free English system of
conveying goods untonclic d. This bill would introduce the
principle of espionage. Under one protest or another the
contents of packages would be pried into. (Hear, hear.)
They were not most to protest against the charge per
ton. There were other modasof meeting that question. They
only protested against the cr• made on one ekes of
goods as distingud from another class of product.. The
present proposal of the railway companion was offensive,
annoying, and vexatious.
Mr. J. D. Au.cnorr moved the first resolution to the
effect that it was the province of public carriers to carry
packets, with special exception., to their proposed &sties-
Mon at their own risk and responsibility, seeing that the
public were charged for such risk and reeponsibility. He
pointed out the inconvenience to which the proposed alte-
ration would lead in connection with the glove trade.
CHAMBERA, on the part of the book trade, seconded
the resolution, which was supported likewise by Mr.
HITIMETT, and carried unanimously.
Mr. Howru.., of the firm of Ellis and Howell, moved
the next resolution to the effect that any interference
with the enclosure of small pansies in one
as proposed by the 15th clause of the blll, was
contrary to the noses and facilities of the trade.
The clause referred to is as follows :—" Whereas,
in any act of
i parliament pissed before the
paring of this act it s enacted, with reference to the rate
of tolls on small parcels not 'acceding five hundred
pounds in weight, to the effect that articles sent in large I
aggregate quantified', although made up of several parcels,
such as bags of sugar, coffee, meal, and the like, should
not be deemed small panels, but such term shall apply
only to single parcels or rate packages, every
such enactment shall be repealed, and the following
provision be substituted therefor:—namely, the rate
of toll prescribed for such small parcels shall not
extend to goods of the same description sent in large
aggregate quantities, although they are by the usages of
trade divided into separate packages or parcels ((es bags of
sugar. bags of coffee, sacks of meal, and the him), when
they are sent by a dealer in such goods to sae who
Is the real consignee, and not merely an agent= air
tribution of such goods among different emigres • and
the burden of proving that goods are seat wind; the
moaning of this provision shall lie on the censignor."
Mr. rants, etationer, Wood-street, seconded the
motion, which was suppoeted by Mr. ROTINAN, of the
jewellery trade, and adopted.
Ur. HUGHES, of the firm of Copestaks, Keen, and Co.,
moved that a memorial and petition to the Hone of Lords
against the bill be adopted, the latter, if aseserry to be
supported by counsel at the bar of the house. He eLaena
teamed the attempt of the railway companies as • mitten
' of impudence and folly—impudence because they bad been
beaten time after time on the point, and folly bemuse,
after spending 20,0001. already, they were now res 4 to
spend another 200001. of AarelioMins' money in les-
trianns_to effect their *Nen.
I Hr. W. ONLATORRI esoceded, and Mr. Zunrotos and
Hr. FORBES supported the motion, which was carried.
Os the motion of Mr. Bocsiscduit' secondedymt
Howls, • vote of thanks was puled to the ch
which brought the proneness to • close.

Let night Mr. Goldwin Smith delivered an 1
eddreee to the members of the &saint Warkin II
Club ea " The present tads in the liehory el iniestry.•
The inauguration of the statueof Bernasdrellimy.
masted by 31. Tabun, a pupil et David, will tab }Lea
at Salutes (Charente-laterieure) on Suaday. tie led of
May.