THE RAILWAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1924, Page 4

THE RAILWAYS.

“STATE OWNERS!! 11’ A MISTAK K.” WEI,LI NCI OX, December 29. Mr F. 11. I*. I’otliell, an English railway engineer who has had large experience in the Argentine railways and who is passing through Wellington, is not an advocate of Government control. In his opinion State ownership of railways is a mistake.” “ Von will find,” he said, “ that railways that are privately owned are under better control than Govoriini.entow ned lines. The reason is that the Government can by law enforce a hotter service from railways owned by private concerns limn is the ease if they are owned by the State. They found that out in the Argentine. We have very strict railways laws there, obliging us to do certain things in the way of providing for the public a rapid service, excellent time-table and improved accommodolion lor passengers, especially for long distances. For instance, for any distance over 109 miles we have to provide very good dining cars and sleeping cars of Ihe very best. The conditions are all laid down by the Government and are very striligent. hut political inllueiiee does not come in.” No Government, lie added, could hope to Devil re such conditions and service through its employees as could a private company or syndicate acting under a strict law governing railway administration, lie did not think there would ho any difficulty in arlaaging for English financial interests to lake over the railways. To modernise the lines he had seen in the North Island would require an expenditure of about I'd,(100,000. The chief tasks at first would he taking out curves and cuttings, and rectifying rolling stock. Then, to meet the motor transport competition, the Department would have to arrange that short train journeys would lie done rapidly and comfortably.