And in like manner the tonnage of general merchandise conveyed in 1883 was 2,192,034 tons in excess of 1882, 5,886,356 tons in excess of 1881, and 7,262,031 tons in excess of the tonnage of 1880. The production of pig iron is not a real test, inasmuch as large stocks accumulate at certain periods, and the ratio of production is lessened in order to reduce the quantity in stock. No doubt depression of trade may arise from lower prices. The years 1876 and 1877 were probably those during which the highest possible prices ruled for coal, iron, &c. What were the quantities conveyed by railway? Minerals. Merchandise. Tons. Tons. In 1875 137,087,713 62,981,938 ” 1876 141,779,393 64,185,671 ” 1877 146,864,410 65,116,085 ” 1880 165,670,304 69,635,325 ” 1883 189,485,612 76,897,356 ” 1885 183,776,745 73,511,709 If lower prices now rule, it is clear there is a very much larger volume of trade now than in the years of high prices. That there has been depression in some branches of the trade of the country may be a fact, but it is only natural to overrate and overstate its reality and importance, and to cast blame upon the wrong parties. APPENDIX III. TARIFFS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF MERCHANDISE TRAFFIC. HOLLAND. There is no scale of rates universally chargeable in Holland; each railway company is authorised by the Concession under which the railway was constructed to charge certain specified rates. The rates actually charged are, as in England, generally lower than the maximum, and they are controlled by the State. Although the same maximum rates do not govern all the railways in Holland, and the classifications also vary, the basis of a mileage scale is practically the same throughout, viz.:--a rate per kilometre and per ton according to distance, and a fixed charge for Station terminals according to class. The terminal charges on Fast and “Piece” (ordinary) goods include loading and unloading, but in the wagon load classes the terminals do not include those services. The tariff for the conveyance of through Goods Traffic--_i.e._, traffic exchanged between all Dutch Railways--is divided into the following classes, viz.:-- 1. Fast Goods, carried by ordinary Passenger Trains. 2. “Piece” (Ordinary) Goods, or consignments under 5 tons carried by Goods Trains. 3. Truck loads--Classes A, B and C. Mileage rates per kilometre and per ton of 1,000 kilos.:--