The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1889. The Railway Commissioners

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 145, 13 June 1889, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1889. The Railway Commissioners

TnEni'] is no moro persistent aud at the same time severe critic on our system of railway management than Mr S. Vaile. In a letter writteu to the Auckland H-- raid he makes some very crushing, hut we firmly believe true, remarks on the mode adopted by tho Government in finding billet*, fov certain proteges by making thorn Railway Commissioners. Tho following is un extract : — " The Dover Express wants to know what, in my opinio i, is the reason that, while there were 133 applicants for the position of Queensland Railway Commissioner, there was no application for a similar post in this colony, even at a salary of .£3OOO per annum. Well, my opinion is this, which I wish to state clearly, distinctly, and emphatically — that it never was intended to import a Commissioner. The wonderful " exparts" who were to make our railways a success had already been discovered in New Zealand. It is my honest, deliberate opinion, that the whole aim, object, and intention of the Government Railway Act of ISB7 was to provide permanent billets for certain people, to prevent any real information in the system of working our railways being carried out, and to throw the control of the trade, commerce, and land values of the colony into the hands of a certain ring. And such will undoubtedly be its eftects. I am acquainted with a good deal of railway legislation, and I have no doubt whatever that the New Zealand Act is the only Railway Act in the world that does not contain one clause, one subseotion, one line, one word, to protect publio interests. It is impossible to imagine that such a piece cf legislation was intended for the general good. It is simply a disgraceful handing over of all public rights to serve the interests of a few. If allowed to continue in operation its effect will be to build up a few immense fortunes and reduce multitudes to the verge of starvation." The charges made in the ahove are clear aud well defined, aud some day the people of New Zealand will universally hold the samo views.