THE RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 240, 4 July 1919, Page 6

THE RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS

Politely-expressed regret is perhaps all that can be expected of the .Minister of Railways and his Department in connection with the serious reduction in _railway; services which already is occasioning a considerable derangement of business and consequent unemployment. So far as the Department is concerned the position is simply that it cannot provide services without coal, lloason may arise for asking it to amend its initial arrangements should it appear that essential industries and interests that deserve to be protected arc being sacrificed to those that aro less important and iTeserving. Obviously, however, any general improvement in the situation is dependent absolutely upon a considerable increase in the volume of coal supplies at present available. While this is tho beginning and ond of tho matter for the Kailways Department, the Government as a whole is called upon to go into it somewhat more deeply. It is, of course, the duty of the Government to do everything in its power' to secure increased quantities of coal _ from the Dominion mines and by importation. Since,- however, no immediate relief is possible in this way, tho next question is whether it is possible to modify tho disabilities occasioned by the reduction of railway services, by exorcising some control over the use of other forms of transport— notably coastal shipping and motor vehicles—and in such additional ways as may suggest themselves. The Government only is in a position to determine how far it is necessary or desirable to go in this direction. Much, of course, depends upon tho probable duration of the railway restrictions. If they arc likely to continue for any length of time, and'it , is possible by organised measures to limit the hardships entailed, the Government oueht to institute such measures with all possible expedition. One of the most serious problems raised bv the restriction of railway services is that of unemployment, and it threatens to develop on a considerable scalo. The, transport conditions which are giving rise to unemployment nf course will make its relief exceedingly difficult, but .the problem will have to be solved in one way or another. If possible the Government ought to provide ■employment for as many displaced men as will accept it on the development works which in various nlaccs are hold up or delayed for lack of labour. Possibilities in this direction-are bound to be limited by transport restrictions, but they certainly ought to be turned to account where circumstances permit. The situation as a whole is uncertain meantime, owing to the lack of any definite indication of the period for which Uio reduction of railway services will continue. It is the plain duty of the Government, however, to recognise its responsibilities in f.he direction indicated, and to deal in good.time, ns far as that is possible, with problems of which it alone is in a position to estimate the true proportions.