The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY AUGUST 28th, 1923.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY AUGUST 28th, 1923.

RAILWAY FACILITIES. The Railway Department has such a monopoly of the transport trade in this country, that on that account there is all the more reason to watch, -is policy affecting general transport problems. This district h;vs its grievance against the present time-table, and the measure of dealing with through traf-

fie to and from Hokitika. There is the suggestion that some relief is to be afforded under this lioad, but bo tar there is nothing official on the point. Meantime we must remain patient and hopeful—but at the same time grateful that our tiicnds in Canterbury have taken the matter up, relying that their greater influence will work the (Tianges considered desirable. So much for Lite passenger traffic. As affecting the goods traffic, t-heie is evidence that, this is growing in volume, and by reason of rail com munication, inure regular in its inflow and outflow. It apiiears there is the need for a shunting engine to be stationed here, so as to relieve the traffic engines of the time taken up >n shunting operations. These, on occasions when the train is scheduled to proceed on to Boss, often delay the departure of the south train unduly, ami that is not at till fair to south traffic. We shall he referring immediately to t.he proposed line up Gibson Guay, and when that is in operation, there will be more need than ever for improved shunting arrangements to iclieve the traffic engines of work which unduly delays train traffic. The marshalling of goods trains is a work ill itself, and tfit.* increased volume oi railway traffic now manifesting ltsoH Here, calls for some attention on the part of the Bailway service so that there will lie better despatch for trains to time-table and more celerity possible in tlie running of the trains, once they set out on their journey. A shunting engine here could operate the timber traffic as between Manniiui and Three Mile, thus obviating much delay on the passongei trains picking up or dropping oil wagons at the three sawmill stations involved. An auxiliary engine here could greatly facilitate timber traffic, as well as tin- return of empty wagons to the mill sidings for fresh loading, and the advantage would be a benefit to ihe timber industry. Regarding the proposed Quay line, particulars of the Railway Department's offer appear m this issue. The oiler is very much in favor of the Department, and indicates tho service is pressing its monopoly advantage, to tho fullest extent. Although the millers lord and unload tneir own trucks and pay a handsome ficighfc for the favor ot Government railway haulage, ami though the Department lias not the roam at tho tation yard for skid loading aecommodatiuti, the Department rails on the millers to pay the cost of construeting. a line to skid accommodation up Gibson Quay, as abo the cost of maintenance; together with a shunting charge, and n rental for the siding accommodation (which, mark you, is not on a railway reserve). The Derailment uses its monopolistic privileges to the I idlest, and it. does so uublushingly. The policy of the Department- in iliis regard would be well worth investigaton by a commission, in order to draw public attention to the demands which are made in a stand and deliver manner. I’lifortnnatcly the millers arc badly in the toils. They a.re at the mercy of a Forestty Ilepaittiictn which has no compassion for the iudu.-iry. Now they are fare to face with another Government Department which is equally conipaihiottless. The Government is out to extract every shilling it can from the industry, and to place a.s many burdens as it can on enterprise promoted mi the industrial benefit of the country. There never was a time when the industry was so harrassed. The millers Would do well to regard the position which is being created, from a political standpoint, as it appears that only through that channel will it- lie possible tor the industry to get a square deal. Milling is certainly not. getting it now.