§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ *SIR WILLIAM TOMLINSON (Preston)desired to call attention to the extensive powers sought by this Bill to run steamers between Hull and many ports, extending as far as Stockholm, and he considered so great an extension of the powers generally granted to railway companies deserved examination, and he proposed, in order to invite attention to the subject, to move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. He did not bring this Motion forward in 746 any hostile spirit, and he did not intend, to press it to a division. This development of the functions of railway companies greatly increased their functions and was one of very considerable importance to the trading interests of the country. It was no new thing for railway companies to ask for powers to run lines of steamships between certain points, but whilst originally these powers were limited to making connecting links between different railway systems on opposite sides of the water, during the last few years company after company had enlarged their system of water communication to an extent never previously contemplated. There was this difference between the grant by Parliament to railway companies of powers to construct railways and to run steamships to distant parts, that in the former case they were under an obligation to carry out the undertaking, whilst in the latter it was quite optional with them whether they acted upon the powers given them, and he desired to urge that the time had come when there ought to be some kind of public inquiry into the powers railway companies were acquiring under Bills of this description, and the mode in which and the limits and conditions under which such powers should be exercised. It was true that the powers proposed to be granted by this Bill were analogous to those granted to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company last year, and also to some acquired by other railway companies previously, and it was I obvious that keen competition might be occasioned in which the railway companies might unintentionally place the merchandise imported from foreign countries in a more favourable position: than the products of this country. He thought it was worthy of consideration whether some precautions should not be taken to prevent such a state of things arising, and that the time had now arrived when it would be wise for the Board of Trade to institute some kind of inquiry by a Committee, or Commission or otherwise. He therefore begged to move.
§
Amendment proposed—
To leave out the word 'now,' and at the end of the Question to add the words ' upon this day six months.'"—(Sir William Tomlinson.)
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
§ SIR EDWARD GREY (Northumberland, Berwick)said that all the Bill asked for were the identical powers which were given by Parliament last year to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company.
§ MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)thought the time had come for the Board of Trade to direct an inquiry into the whole policy of these railway companies in acting as sea carriers, lie desired to support the Motion which had been made by the hon. Baronet the Member for Preston. If they granted these powers to one railway they could not refuse them to another company. Such powers were very much open to abuse. What they had to recollect was that in the case of railway companies who were shipowners it was to their own interest to carry goods by sea at nominal rates in order that they might carry them upon their own railway. This would be unfair to British manufacturers and traders, who were thus placed at a disadvantage with their foreign competitors. Besides this it was unfair to particular ports, and the port of Liverpool had suffered very much in this respect in the past. It was unfair to the shipowner, because he was subjected to unfair competition from the railway companies, who would carry goods at lower prices simply to act as feeders to their own lines. He thought the Board of Trade might direct an inquiry to be made into the whole of the conditions under which these railway companies were acting. Such safeguards ought to be laid down as would prevent these great powers being exercised in a manner which inflicted injury upon other industries.
§ Question put, and agreed to
§ Main Question put, and agreed to. Bill read a second time, and committed.