§ 12. Mr. NEEDHAMasked whether the net railway rates and charges for traffic carried on the South Manchurian Railway are the same on British goods as on Japanese goods; if there is any difference, is it in favour of Japanese goods; and, if so, to what extent?
Mr. PRIMROSESpecial 30 per cent. reduced rates for specific through goods from Japan to Manchuria via Dairen, Antung or Newchang were introduced in July last. Owing to representations by His Majesty's Government, the Japanese Government promised that these rates should be extended to specific through goods from foreign countries. It appears, however, that, in practice, the South Manchurian Railway only extends these rates to goods carried by shipping lines having a special arrangement with them on the subject; and that, although the railway company has expressed its willingness to conclude such an arrangement with any shipping company—Japanese or foreign—these arrangements have, so far, only been concluded with Japanese companies.