THE THROTTLING GRIP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2718, 13 March 1916, Page 7

THE THROTTLING GRIP

Sir,—l believe Sir Joseph Ward is entitled to much kudos for the introduction of the universal one penny postago jnto New Zealand, which has proved to be an -undoubted success. Tlio object, of course, "was to encourage intimate relations between the Dominion and other countries/by which it was' hoped to facilitate trado and achieve greater prosperity for New Zealand. We all Know that the experiment has turned out a greater benefit than could have been foreseen. It is perfectly clear to nnvono that, for encouragement of intercourse between two countries, cheap passenger fares between them are quito as important and necessary as cheap postage rate 3, and thßt a Government that lowered the one would bo acting inconsistently if it raised tho other, un'duly, or consented to allow prohibitive fares to bo charged by any monopoly. Prohibitive passenger fares act as -a throttling grip at the very vitals of a country. We appear to have a very 'decided case of inconsistency here in •New Zealand. AVe have reduced the ■ postage rate, but what about passenger fares betwen here and Sydney ? In my opinion they are extortionate and beyond the means of, the majority of those ■who wish to visit Australia, and that . they act as a gigantio screen separating the two countries and paralysing their Intercourse. There is little doubt as to the wisdom of State control if applied in this instance, where 60 much depends upon cheap fares being enforced. Much of the trouble in the past at the waterfront could bo traced to the antipathy of some of the men towards any private monopoly, so that it would be reasonable to contend that State control would (to away with much of the uniesfe that continually seems to be simmering at the waterfront.-_ However, here is an opportunity awaiting Mr. Maasey to introduce something incalculably beneficial to this country, and at tho same time remove so glaring an instance of inconsistency in administration as that of the toleration of exorbitant passenger fares between New Zealand and 'Australia, after having adopted the universal one penny postage rate for letters. It is Mr. Massey's opportunity to introduce cheap, passenger fores between the countries of New Zealand and 'Australia.—l am, etc., REFORM. Wellington, March 10, 1918. ' TState control, unhappily, does not firing industrial peßco, as tritneps tho experience of the past in connection with the State coal mines and tho dissatisfaction said to exist at present amongst the State railway employees.]