§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a copy of the Report of the Dublin Industrial Development Association, containing a detailed statement of a complaint concerning transit charges on Irish goods; whether he is aware that all the Irish companies, with the exception of the Great Southern and Western, have, through the agency of the Department of Agriculture, practically agreed to modify their rates; and whether he will use his influence on the Great Southern and Western Railway Company to follow the example of the other Irish companies?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have received a copy of the Report referred to. The Department of Agriculture have been in communication with certain Irish railway companies in regard to a complaint as to the conveyance of straw palliasses. Four companies agreed to reduce the rates, but the Great Southern and Western Company have not seen their way to do so. It is open to the complainants to make application2210W to the Board of Trade with a view to having these goods placed in a lower scale than that in which they are at present.