THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20096, 27 November 1930, Page 10

THE RAILWAYS.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS i WANTED. < i FARMERS' UNION DISCUSSION. "We might do very much worse than support this," said the president of the North Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Mr Colin Mcintosh) at yesterday's meeting of that body concerning a request from the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association that the Government be urged to remove the railways from political control. The resolution forwarded by the Association was as follows: "That in view of the very serious and continually increasing losses made by the Railway Department the Government be urged to give effect to the recommendation of the Railways Commission that the management of the railways should be removed from political control and handed over to an independent Board of Directors; further, that this resolution be conveyed to the Acting-Prime Minister and circulated amongst Farmers' Unions, Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, County Councils, and Chambers of Commerce with a request that they should affirm it and make their own representations to the Government in support thereof." "A Vital Problem." The letter stated that the resolution arose out of one of the most vital, interesting, and serious of the national problems, and the committee of the Association was of opinion that a strongly united body of public opinion should at once voice its support of the recommendations of the recent Commission by placing these on. record and communicating any resolutions to the Acting-Prime Minister and the Minister for Railways. It was thought that unless the Government waß fully seized of the desires

of the people Cabinet might be disinclined to give effect to the recommendations, which might be dfeemed to be too drastic; hence the need for prompt action. Mr Melntosh said that he was in full sympathy with the resolution. Railways were experiencing a bad period everywhere in the world because of the great advance made in motor transport. He considered that a mistake was being made in carrying on with the South Island Main Trunk Line at present. Farmers were being told by stock and station agents to put off more men and to do more work themselves in order to meet the position now obtaining. Yet when farm hands were discharged they w€re able to get employment on railway relief works at better wages than farmers could afford to pay, and this expense had to be borne by the taxpayers. Unproductive Land. "Where would you put these nian?" aßked a member. "There are thousands upon thousands of unproductive land in this country, which should be brought into production," answered Mr Melntosh. , It was suggested that mueh good would be done if it were possible to reduce the high salaries of some of the officials. The chairman said that if the system weire freed of political control staff reductions might be made. It was clear that the railways were doixlg no good under the present control. Sfe moved that the Government be ur£ed effect to the recommendations of the Commission insofar as it related to the removal Of the Railways from political control. This was seconded by Mr B. T. MeMillan. The chairman: What is the use of Eaying a high salary to the manager if e cannot do what he wants to? "It is useless," said Mr McMillan. The chairman: It is ridiculous to put a man in charge and say to him, "You can't do your job unless we approve of it." He added that he had been told that men were working on the South Island Main Trunk liihe with barrows when horses and scoops should be Used. Tbey ■tfere paid about £4 a week. It would be more economical to. send out teams with scoops and keep the men- in camp. The motion was carried.

HI&HfiR FREIGHTS.

MANUFACTURERS' OPPOSITION.

Tlie executive of the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association decided last night to protest against the proposed action of the Government in increasing railway freights on local goods to the level of those on imported goods. Tlie chairman (Mr I. Woolf) suggested that a strong deputation should wait on the Minister for Railways regarding the matter, which was & serious one. Jf it was necessary to increase the freights on local goods, 'why was not a similar move made in regard to imported lines? he asked. It was decided to refer the matter to the Parliamentary Committee to take immediate action in protesting against the proposed increased freights.