RAILWAY SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1919, Page 1

RAILWAY SERVICE

BUSINESS MAN'S STRONG

CRITICISM.

AUCKLAND, February 20. The Railway Department was strongly criticised to-day by Air Robert Burns chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, who said : “For some reason during the whole of the war period the higher command of the Railway Service have considered themselves beyond criticism.- They have resented any suggestions and have regarded any criticism or complaints as an indication that the person criticising or complaining was a pro-German and did not desire to win tile war. They seem to have failed entirely to grasp the fact that, the Railway Department is one of the public services of New Zealand and that, the owners of this service are perfectly justified in making suggestions, offering criticisms.. and condemning mistakes. “The position of the high command of the Railway Service at the present moment js such a hopeless one that I do not thing it can continue much longer. Right throughout the country there is a very strong feeling that alterations will have to be made and I think, now that peace is within sight, I,ml Parliamentary criticism will he available that there must be some alteration. T would recommend strongly that the incoming council should give the matter of maladministration of railway affairs very serious attention. It seems to me that the present method of selection for the highest, position in the, service is a. very doubtful one, and is not likely to obtain the host results."