To legislation in Continental countries as to the fixing of rates, we only briefly refer; in Appendix III. are full details as to the law on this subject of Prussia and the German Empire. It may, however, be here observed that the Prussian General Railway Law of 1838 provided for a reduction of rates when the net profits exceeded 10 per cent.; that the concessions to private companies stipulate for the control of the Government over rates; but that, in recent concessions, greater freedom is accorded to the companies, which may, within certain maximum limits, modify rates at pleasure. Such legislation is well worthy of attention; only it may be suggested that it is not reasonable to pick out for commendation this or that provision without regard to its concomitants--to propose to adopt provisions to the disadvantage of railways, and to ignore those which recompense them. In Germany exist District Consultative Councils or Conciliation Courts, which deal with all questions relating to conveyance of goods on railways, and with the application of existing tariffs and the introduction of new local tariffs. It has been stated that those Councils or Courts are of great practical utility. Whether this be so or not the circumstances under which Conciliation Boards are appointed in Germany are very dissimilar to those of the railways in this country. Their constitution is peculiar; similar elements do not exist here. These Boards are composed of representatives of the Government as workers of the railways and representatives of the traders as users of them. Both, however--the nominees of the Government and the traders--may be said to represent the owners (in reality--the public) of 85 per cent. of the lines, who are liable for any loss in working them. In this country neither the Government nor the traders are the owners.[96] Moreover, in Germany the representative of the Government which controls the working of the railways, has, in fact, the power of fixing any rate by his final decision, whatever may be the views of the traders or the Conciliation Boards. In the last resort the owner of the lines controls the rates. [96] The railways in this country are governed by directors who have shares in the respective undertakings, and represent the shareholders (assumed to be about 500,000), but generally their interest in the railways is relatively small compared with that which they possess in land, manufactories, collieries, ironworks, and commerce &c., besides which from their local connections, and as public men, they are keenly alive to the requirements of agriculture, trade and commerce, and in reality represent those interests to a much greater extent than is sometimes assumed to be the case.