RAILWAY EXCURSION TRAINS.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 249, 24 April 1895, Page 2

RAILWAY EXCURSION TRAINS.

The train which took tbe members of the Roman Catholic Church from Palmerston and Feilding- this morning- was well patronisp.d, but owing to a stupid piece of red tapism on the part of the railway authorities hundreds of people and their children were deprived of the pleasure of the outing 1 . On previous occasions when these trains have been run no discrimination was made, so that all and sundry took advantage of them No doubt a number of adults went who could not properly claim the privilege in a strictly le^al sense, but in most cases they went just for the pleasure of bein^ with their friends- and their children. In consequence of that— we conjecture — an order was issued l>y the hand of the Department to stationmasiers to the effect that only children attending a private school, with their guardians or parents, shou'd have tickets issued to them. This was made public yesterday and a iatye number of people who intended to go this morning gave up the id j a. Still there was a goodly assemblage on the station platform of those who thought there might be a mistake or some lucky chance would enable them to obtain" seats. Ko tickets were issued unies* the conditions were complied with, but when the train arrived at the platform it was discovered that Father Patterson, and several oi' the gentlemen connected wh.h his Church, haii provided themselves with an ample supply. There was a rush for these and everyone who so desired was supplied. We hardly like to comment on the huge blunder that was committed by the Department. If these excursion trips are to be made to pay they must be made popular with, the people for whose benefit they were established, and sectarianism or denominationalism or any other objectionable feature rigidly excluded. The Lyttelton Times considers it would be a very good thing for the country if the Opposition would organise and make some serious attempt to place its policy before the electors. We do not agree with this opinion, for the very excellent reason that it is not — and never has been — the duty of the Opposition to "place a policy before fcbe electors," unless on the eve of a general election, and when that day comes we feel assured the Opposition will not be found wanting. Iv the meantime, Captain Russell, the leader of tbe Opposition, is doing only that which is demanded of him in criticising the acts, measures, and policy of the Government. Did he do more he would be departing from the recognised rule which obtains in England and other countries where government by party obtains. Undoubtedly, tbe Government party would like to know the intended movements of the Opposition in the near future, but that knowledge must be denied them for the present. Ix view of the fact that orcbardists and gardeners in this and surrounding districts are unable to obtain a local market for their, fruit and produce, and the Wellington dealers have shown a want of alacrity in meeting them, it is probable that an effort will be made to open a shop in the Empire City in order to find an outlet. There can be no question that if this idea is followed up a profitable business could be established at very little cost.