RAILWAY RISKS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1114, 29 April 1911, Page 3

RAILWAY RISKS.

Sir,—Whilst joining with a large number of the passengers'that were travelling with Hie .south express train from Auckland lust .Monday, in offering congratulations to Mr. Claude for the part tie plaved in prevaiiting what otherwise would have been a serious accident, 11 would also call attention to tho fact that! it is a grave matter that an accident of this nature is possible on our railways. New ViCß.hnd has been eomniondably tree from serious accidents for a long time, due in a great measure to (ho high sense of duty of the whole service, from (he general manager to this lowest boy in ttio service, , . It is absolutely necessary that (Ins important portion of tho public service, the proper performance of whoso duties is charged with such grave consequences to the public, should be kept m a fairly | contented frame of mind and not be sub-i jeet to the harassing policy adopted by: the Enilwhv Department of late. Pcoplo : who come Into close touch with the'rail-' way men of this country have noted with grave concern the great discontent that exists throughout tho whole of tho service, and from what leaks out through, the press it appears that the discontent is on the increase:, so much so that a large number of the better class of tho men are cither resigning from the service or are fast losing that interest in . the work which is absolutely necessary in . the proper discharge of their duties..-It is '< moro than can reasonably bo expected from human natnro that-;the sarno careful vigilance should be kept by the mini for His proper discharge cf their duties, while they are daily subject to the harassing policy of their superiors. As has'already been pointed out, a large number of the men have resigned from tho service rather than' put up. with the present conditions, which means that their places have to be filled very often bv their less efficient comrades. If the public knew of the grave risks that have to be taken through lack of lime, and thonarrow escapes from serious accidents that often occur, their peaco of mind ■ would be greatly disturbed. j .It is not my intention to cause un- ' necessary alarm, nor to make political capital, out of a grave danger such as 1 this, because I consider that it is far too serious a matter to be made a matter' nf party strife, but thero is no doubt that (he Legislature, as well as public opinion, should demand that inquiries bo made into these grave affairs', with the view /if administering justice and restoring contentment to the men, as well as regaining the confidence of tho -public it- i Kflf. . I

Tho endeavours of tho Minister to make the railways pay can be carried tool far, and the surplus as a result of his ef-, forts can be bought at too great a-price, ■ as tho' lot of the .railway-inch has liecomo almost, intolerable, and the pin-prick pol-j icy will bear a harvest of more discontent, • with what terrible- results it is not pleas-' ant to contemplate:-1 am, etc., SAFETY.