RAILWAY CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 571, 28 July 1909, Page 8

RAILWAY CONTROL

THE NON-POLITICAL SYSTEM. GREAT SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA. 'I. • '. — MR. H. BEAUCHAMP'S OBSERVATIONS. Mr.'Harold Beauchamp, chairman of tho Bank of New Zealand, who returned yesterday from a visit-to : Australia, did a good deal of railway travelling in New South Wales and Victoria. Seen, by a Dominion reporter, soon after ho landed, Mr. Beauchamp made some interesting statements as to the success of non-political management as applied-to tlio railways of those two States. •''■.' ' ~' "After a somewhat lengthy experience, the people in both Victoria and' Now. South' Wales," he, remarked in answer to a quos-. 'tiori, "are .'generally agreed upon'the fact that. railways ' and • tramways, necessitating, ah.thoy-do, tho employment of largo bb'die3 of men, can be worked to much better advantage under non-political hoards or commissioners. Theso forms of management aro free entirely from political Control, and tho undertakings can bo conducted on business lines. In tho case of Victoria, I was assured that, until tho present system was introduced, there- was the greatest difficulty in making both ends meet in connection with the railways, whereas to-day they aro making a substantial profit. Indeed, soino people go so far as 'tosay that under prudent and oompctent management the railways, at rib distant date, -will earn a sum that will go largely towards paying' the : interest on 'fho present indebtedness of .tho State. :Tho service is excellent from ■■ every' point 'of 1 view. With parlour,' observation,- and'"'sleeping cars, one: travels in : groat luxury'- from'Mei-bourne'to-Sydney and vico versa."

■ "Some years ago," continued Mr. Beauchamp, "I rather favoured municipal trol of traction, light; and water—all great public conveniences—-but with tlio experiences wo have had in this Dominion, I noiv certainly think that invevory case'it would bo far better, for these services to bo under the control of independent boards." '■''.-'. • And railways,-too?,. . j "I admit that our. experience''in the mat.tef of railway commissioners.' in • New Zealand was hot an unqualified success, but that iiajy.have-been"duo■ to causes. which do.not exist to-day.'- -Of course, it is perfectly obvious: that,, .to. ensure- success, it is impe'rativo that tho , Government 'or municipality, should see that the boards in every case are composed- of highly-qualified men who are experts in their ow.n profession..,..Tho,' pre-, sent Chief■ Commissioner of tlio Victorian" llailways/'iMr. Tait, has simply'-revolutidn-ised 'railwayi-.matters in ; .that -'State, ; and similar results.would,; I'-believo, y accrub : clse'ivhere- with -the -same efficient iadmi.nistra'lion." ■ :.,'.' ,-.-; i"'■:,-' ./- • .-' '. iv^s•.--.- ?;:.-