The Sun.
London, England, 1845-04-24 00:00:00

RAILWAYS.

Lord G. SOMEESET moved that every Committee
on a Railway Bill shall fix the tolls, and shall determine
the maximum rates of charge for the conveyance of
passengers (with a due amount of luggage) and
of goods on such railway, and such rates of
charge shall include the tolls, and the costs
of locomotive power, and every other expense
connected with the conveyance of passengers (with a
due amount of luggage) and of goods upon such railway;
but if the Committee shall not deem it expedient to de-
termine such maximum rates of charge, a special report.
explanatory of the grounds of their omitting so to do,
shall be made to the House, which special report shall
accompany the report of the Bill.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said the subject which the No-
ble Lord had brought wider the consideration of the
House was one of great importance, and it was, in his
opinion, high time for the House to limit the tolls and
rates of charges on railways.
Mr. BERNAL, who was almost inaudible in the
gallery, was understood to say that some uniform
practice ought to be adopted in the Railway Committees,
otherwise the greatest confusion would occur, and when
the session was about to close there would be no such
thing as remedying it.
Sir J. Y. BULLER defended the conduct of Mr.
Burke, which had been unjustly cotsured. If he had
been guilty of some trifling inadvertence, he at once
owned it. He would willingly bear testimony to the
high character of Mr. Bnrke.
Sir W. HEATHCOTE likewise eulogised the general
conduct of Mr. Burke, which he considered was en-
titled to respect and gratitud. His exertions had been
of the greatest service in ensuring order and regularity.
The O'CONOR DON said he concurred in the ob-
servations of the Hon. Gentleman who had just sat
down. There was a feeling amongst the Committee
that no practitioner could discharge his duty with more
credit' and satisfaction than Mr. Burke.—(Hear, hear.)
His conduct with regard to the clause alluded to ought
certainly not to be characterised by a stronger expression
than that of inadvertence. The slightest unfavourable
impression did not remain in the minds of the Committee
with regard to the conduct of Mr. Burk.
Mr. GREENE entirely concurred in the testimony
which had been given respecting Mr. Burk.
Mr. HAWES said he wished to call the attention of
the House to the resolution of the Noble Lord (Lord G.
Somerset.) He did not think it was necessary to say a
word more respecting the uprightness of Mr. Burk.
It would be impossible for any person to say, what
should be the maximum rate for passengers and pods.
The company, and the company alone, could only
furnish the necessary information on that point.
The hlon.. Member for Devonport had said that this was
a clause which should be inserted in order to remedy the
defects complained of ; but he (Mr. Hawes) did
not think it would be possible for this House to frame
any clause by which to fix the maximum rate of
charges. The House had not the power to do so, for the
public were of necessity in the halide of the railway
companies in this respect. For instance, what might be
a fair rate of charge on a locomotive line might not be
fair upon an atmospheric line; and was this House, then,
prepared to say that they could fix the maximum rate
of charges for each ? It would be a most arbitrary act
to do so, and he would most decidedly divide the House
upon any such clause—be deemed it so impolitic—though
he might not have the slightest chance of success.
Sir GEO. CLERK said ho perfectly concurred with
the Hon. Member that it would be a great absurdity to
attempt to fix the maximum rate of charges ; but it
would be competent for the House to fix the rate of
charges to be made as tolls. However, he begged
to assure the Honourable Member that in one of
the Bills sent before the Committee, the promoters of
the Bill themselves had voluntarily introduced a clause
by which they proposed to fix the maximum rate of
charge.
' Mr. GISBORNE hoped the House would not place
any degree of confidence either in that or any other Bill
that should contain such a proposition.
Mr. JAMES STUART WORTLEY believed that

the compensation that had been given was a real and not
a temporary one. He considered that the course that had
been pursued with respect to this subject was
one that ought to be well considered.—(Hear.)
Canals would be no longer able to compete with rail-
ways—the shareholders in them would be ruined by
the low rate at which the latter conveyed luggage
In this respect, he cordially agreed with the Noble
Lord, but th.mght the resolution ought to
be more stringent. He would likewise call
the attention of the Noble Lord to the high rate
of tolls, as also to the high rata of charge on the inter-
mediate stages on railroads, and to the convenience of
having additional stations. The public, by the high
rate of changes on intermediate stations were in a worse
condition than before railways were established.
Mr. PAKINGTON said there were several railways
carrying goods at so low a rate of charge as to render it
impossible for it to be remunerative. Those companies

made up the loss by imposing a higher rate of charge on
passengers than they would have been otherwise called
upon to pay. Thi was most unjust towards the canal
companies, and unfair to all the public. He thought,
therefore, that some regulation such as that which bad
been proposed ought to be adopted.
Lord G. SOMERSET hopes the House would not
agree to the amendment which had been proposed, the
only effect of which would be to keep up the rate of
charge on all description of passengers, and all descrip-
titn of goods.
Mr. SPOONER supported the amendment., and stated
that if the motion of the Nuble Lord was acceded to, it
would be injurious, as it would tend to suppress com-
petition.
Mr. MORRISON thought it would be advisable to
adopt the plan which was adopted with regard to the
French railways. When the fares were lowered there,
the Companies were nut permitted to raise them until
twelve months had elapsed.
Sir G. GREY complained that proper notice had not
been given of the motion.
After a few words from Mr. S. WORTLEY and Mr.
STANSFIELD,
Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET gave notice that it
was his intention on Monday next to bring forward a
precise motion on the subject of the charges for fares on
railways.
The amendment having been withdrawn, theiresolu-
tiollW6B agreed to.