The average rate for “fast” service has been obtained by ascertaining the lowest rate now charged for goods carried “per passenger train.” This appears to be the rate for returned empties for any distance up to 25 miles, namely, 6d. per cwt. (equals 10s. per ton). There is also a charge of £1 for a load not exceeding 2 1/2 tons on carriage trucks attached to a passenger train for a distance of 40 miles, and thereafter at 6d. a mile. It is evident that an average of 10s. per ton would allow of a still smaller rate than that amount for goods carried in bulk and in large consignments.
FOOTNOTES
[5] “The Case for Railway Nationalisation” by Emil Davies, published by Collins, 1913—Price 1s.
CHAPTER IV.
OBJECTIONS TO THE SCHEME.
I now propose to consider objections which may be raised to the proposed scheme.
I anticipate opposition from those who object to all forms of State Ownership or State Management.
The late Lord Avebury was one of the most prominent opponents of nationalisation, and his views are set out in his book “On Municipal and National Trading.”[6]
Mr. Edwin A. Pratt has written several books on the subject and has recently collected all the arguments up to date against State Ownership in his book, “The Case against Railway Nationalisation,”[7] In this book examples are given of the experience of foreign countries and the Colonies where railways have been taken over by the State.