Irish Reform Association Takes Up the Cause for Fairer Rates
In an effort to address pressing concerns regarding railway management and its impact on traders, manufacturers, and producers across the nation, the Executive Committee of the Irish Reform Association has been diligently collecting information. Their aim is to propose necessary changes that will rectify the existing grievances.
A multitude of traders, manufacturers, and producers from various corners of the country have generously shared detailed accounts of local and cross-regional rates. The association now appeals to the public to draw attention to these glaring issues and requests those invested in resolving these anomalies to provide similar details. Such information is crucial in ensuring the comprehensiveness of the committee’s forthcoming report.
One disgruntled trader in Limerick exemplified the vexations faced by many. The trader provided instances of disparate through rates for transporting sugar from Glasgow to inland towns:
- Glasgow to Kilmaishamwood: Through rate per ton – 15s 10d
- Glasgow to Dublin: Local rate – 10s 6d
- Dublin to Kilmaishamwood: Cartage – 10s 7d
- Glasgow to Mullingar: Through rate per ton – 17s 7d
- Glasgow to Dublin: Cartage – 13s 6d
- Dublin to Mullingar: Local rate – 11s 2d
- Glasgow to Athlone: Through rate per ton – 21s 4d
- Glasgow to Dublin: Cartage – 13s 6d
- Dublin to Athlone: Local rate – 15s 8d
- Glasgow to Longford: Through rate per ton – 20s 6d
- Glasgow to Dublin: Cartage – 13s 6d
- Dublin to Longford: Local rate – 15s 1d
Another case involves a miller in County Monaghan who is disheartened by the contrasting charges for transporting corn. He reveals that while the Great Northern Railway Company charges 7s 6d per ton for a 64-mile journey from Belfast, they transport the same load to Strabane, covering 85 miles, for only £1 per ton. A 62-mile route to Monaghan is charged at 1 1-10 d per ton per mile. The miller, producing nearly 1,000 tons yearly, believes that a rate of 5 3/6 d (approximately 1d per ton per mile) would encourage him to increase his output to 2,500 or even 3,000 tons annually.
Albert E. Wood, the Secretary of the Irish Reform Association, urges swift contributions of similar grievances to facilitate the committee’s work. The Association’s mission to bring about fairer rates and equitable practices in railway management continues to gain momentum.
Yours faithfully,
ALBERT E. WOOD, Secretary
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 01 May 1906
