Note 16 — SECTION V. DIFFERENTIAL RATES.

In the evidence given before the Select Committee in 1881, the rates for foreign hops from Boulogne to London were compared with the rates charged for home grown hops from the Ashford and Canterbury districts to London. The former were complained of as being an undue preference in favour of foreign produce. No doubt there was a considerable difference. The rate from Boulogne to London was 17s. 6d., and that from Ashford to London, 38s. It was, however, shewn that the rate of 17s. 6d. per ton for foreign hops from Boulogne to London was a station to station rate, while the rate of 38s. per ton from Ashford to London included delivery and all station services, and that owing to the difference in the mode of packing the hops, 73 per cent. more foreign hops than English hops could be loaded in a truck. The railway companies concerned urged that the home producer was not prejudiced by the transit rate complained of. While it enabled the railway companies to obtain the conveyance of a portion of the foreign hops, an increase of the rate from Boulogne would not be of any benefit to the English grower. The foreign hops would still find their way to London direct by sea. The rate of 17s. 6d. per ton from Boulogne to London was cancelled in deference to the complaints. What is the result? The foreign hops are imported as before; but they are now carried by the General Steam Navigation Company. The railway companies have to some extent suffered; the English producer has gained nothing.