Note 17 — SECTION V. DIFFERENTIAL RATES.

Lines of steamers carrying Belgian, Dutch, German, and French goods and produce, run between Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Boulogne, Havre and London. In competition with them the Great Eastern, South Eastern, and London Chatham and Dover Companies carry viâ Harwich, Folkestone and Dover respectively, at such rates as they can obtain in competition with those charged by steamer direct. It has been a subject of complaint that these goods are conveyed at lower rates than similar merchandise from places in Essex or Kent, past which they are carried by rail. No doubt the regular and quick services provided by the railway companies are of great advantage to the senders and consumers. But so far as London is concerned, a great part, if not the whole of the goods, not requiring quick transit could be sent by sea direct, if the Harwich, Dover, and other services were discontinued.

There are import rates to towns in the interior to which there is no direct sea competition. If such rates are not based on the rates to places to which there is such competition, plus the local rates, they may be open to question to an extent not applicable to the rates to and from ports.