THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18220, 3 November 1924, Page 11

THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

TO THE EIiITOT: OF "THE TKF.SSSir.— Mv question, referred to 'n your loader of October i'7th. was evidently not- dear. It way nottontirn to ask in what. ways tho flailiv.iy Department, is said to have fall*" short, but to enquire what is at tho root, of the failure of democratic control to produce the desired ie.-.ult,s m railway wnrkincrf It li:,s been proposed 'to introduce a measure ot independence into our railway management by handing the working to ;i Commissioner, who would bo iroc from political influence and responsible to the people oulv through Parliament, Ho Ks to carry on under business principles, such to'bo diluted to some extent it is now said. Tho proposal is to alter democratic control, as we have it. ana so something faulty in such control is pointed to. Is not the right- tiling to do to find out what the weakness'therein is and to remove it? By this means wc may obtain satisfactory _ working under the prosent. system of control without departing; from democratic, principles. Sometimes it is said te be the fault of officials that the. railway working is not. satisfactory. This is clearly wrong, because a, Minister would apply his remedy if officials did not carry out.his railway policy properly. No Minister would allow himself to bo obstructed bv officials and bis Departs ment, brought into disrepute." There is nothing whatever to show that tho officials are not fully loyal to the Minister and anxious, with him. to do the best for the eount.rv under the controlling conditions. Tho Minister himself does not blame his officers. We should cease to gird at Ministers and public officials and strive for such harmonious crvoperafron as would produce work that would satisfy. In tho meantime, if we think that a. policy of giving a measure of independence, to an official head of the railways must lie adopted, let us in fairness give it t.i> the present General Manager and allow him the oppor- | tunity to shew what ho can d'o under t freer conditions. There is no virtue in' the title of Commissioner, and -we have proved that there is lio gain in importing a. railway.head from another country.—Yours, etc., . QUESTION.