RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1536, 19 April 1887, Page 3

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

The Hon, Mr Richardson, m addressing his constituents, and the colony generally, m his recent speech at .Kaiapoi, naturally devoted his attention mainly to the subject of raiiway management. Replying to the hostile criticism to which the department over which he presides is universally subjected, he urged that the falling off m the revenue was due to the fact that the great depression which has existed has seriously interfered with the traffic , indeed) he stated that "m some parts of the colony the principal items of traffic have almost ceased for the time being." This is undoubtedly a completely sufficient reply pro tanto, that is to say to the extent to which the unsatisfactory financial lesult of the working of the railways is due to this \ cause, but after making all allowance for that fact we are of opinion, and the public generally is of opinion, that the revenue derived falls very considerably short of what could be obtained under a better system of management ; that is to say a system which would take into account and adapt itself to the needs and circumstances of localities and industries, of producers, and of business men. It is quite possible that not much more can be done m the direction of economy, as the staff generally is by no means overpaid, but without any increase of the cost of management it is the general belief that a good deal more business could be done if the matter were properly gone about. It will,- however, we are persuaded, never be properly gone about so long as the whole question of railway rates depends upon the fiat of officials like Mr Maxwell, who look+at all questions from the prejudiced standpoint of bureaucratic tradition, and know little or nothing of the commercial requirements of the country. It is with pleasure, therefore, that we observe that Mr Richardson has returned to the proposal of three years ago, though m a modified form, viz.. that of establishing Railway Boards. But it would have been better to go the nhole length originally proposed, viz., to establish Boards of Management and not merely Consultative Boards as now suggested.. Mr Richardson has taken for his model the German system of "Conciliation Courts," and thus describes his proposed Bill — "The Bill, as now drawn, provides for three Boards, one for the Auckland district, one for Napier, Wellington, and Taranaki, and one for the South Island. The members are to be elected by the Chambers of Commerce, the Mayors of Boroughs, and the Chairmen of County Councils. Each Board will meet during the recess — that for Auckland district m Auckland twice a year, and ofiener if required ; that for the Central district m Wellington, Wanganui, and Napier, or such other places as may be found desirable, three times a year; that for the South Island at least once at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill ; Nelson, Ficton, and the West Coast railways will also be provided for ; a small fee to be paid to each member for each sitting of the Board and actual travelling expenses. The Minister for Public Works, or, m his absence, the General Manager, or such officer on the railway staff as the Minister may direct, will attend each meeting of the Boards, and afford all information possible. The Boards will hear all complaints as to rates or against the conduct of the officers on the railways, and make such recommendations to the Minister as they may think fit. The Minister may act upon such recommendation as he thinks best, but every recommendation must be laid on the table of the House at the next session ; and, if not acted upon, then the Minister shall give a reason for not doing so." This system (says Mr Richardson) " will not be expensive — it will give everyone a chance to be heard, those who use the railways, as well as the consumers and traders, and the presence of the Minister for Public Works or a railway expert will cause great saving of time by showing the Boards where points are brought forward which may have been discussed and settled previously." Quite so, but we feel certain that the Boards will encounter so much obstruction and difficulty m getting reforms adopted, that there will speedily be a demand from them, as well as from the public, that administrative as well as consultative power shall be conceded, that is to say, at least to the extent that when any Board is unanimous m a recommendation that recommen elation shall forthwith be carried into effect. If this is not to be so, then these Consultative Boards will prove a delusion and a snare, and merely serve as a buffer betweeu complainants and the Department. In a word, they will be neither " fish, flesh, fowl, nor good red herring," but just nondescript bodies without any really useful function.. Still, if we cannot get Administrative Boards all at once, the present proposal may be accepted as a distinct advance, and we look upon it as absolutely certain that if only Consultative Boards are once established, we shall speedily see them accorded administrative functions. We, theiefore, trust that Mr Richardson will this time persist with his Bill, and that it will be accepted by the House, as although m itself but a minor measure of reform, it will inevitably lead to one of a. more thorough a.nd radical nature.