WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

MOTOR SERVICES. (Special to “ Guardian.”) AYEI.LING'I'ON, February 25. Ah overseas visitor, who. on the advice of the Tourist Department, made the round trip from Wellington to Nelson, from Nelson to Blenheim, from Blenheim to l’icton and from Picton hack to Wellington on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday of this week, the whole trip occupying just upon forty-eight hours, speaks in glowing terms of the boat services both ways

and of the motor services everywhere. He regards the Tamnhine as the ideal boat for crossing the Straits and has generous appreciation for the Aralmra, which maintains the other end, of the trip. It is for the motor services, however. that he has his warmest words ol praise and here he makes comparisons which put similar services in England and America and on the Continent into the shade. But he has a sore grievance against the Railway Department which has set him wondering if New Zealand is the progressive country it is made out to he. Ho could not book through from Nelson to Picton because the service by which he travelled was allowed to proceed no further than Blenheim from whence the department, as the tourist put it. “ has a tm-pot train service only half doing its job.” But this enterprising gentleman was not immediately dismayed. II 10 H-ll AND ED MONO POI< V.

The tourist discovered there was a regular motor service running between Blenheim and Picton, by a somewhat •more circuitous route than the one pursued hv the railway, and he assumed. not unnaturally, it would convey him to the side of the ferry boat by which he w;vs returning to Wellington. Cut when the car, got within six or seven hundred yards of the boat it was pulled tin and ho and halt a dozen other passengers were informed they would have to walk the remaining distance as service cars were not allowed to approach nearer to the ferry. The passengers included a crippled lady, an elderly man and a lady in charge of two small children and the luggage three or four heavy trunks and parcels.

Had there not been two fairly strong

men in the party the women and children would have been in a deplorable plight as no other assistance was available. As it was a procession to the boat’s side was formed and over a rough gravel track the disembarked travellers, who had been foolish enough to prefer n comfortable ear to a stuffy train, made their way to their destination without any serious mishap. Meanwhile private cars were allowed to run within fifty yards of the boat and a little later the train drew up immediately opposite the gangway. “ And this,’’ the visitor exclaimed. “ is progressive New Zealand! ” The incident ecrtainlv seems open to criticism. GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS. How far Mr Cheeseborough, a visiting American, is entitled by inquiry and observation to speak on the subject need not be discussed just now; but in the course of an interview this gentleman, granted to the “Post ” yes-' terday he expressed some opinions concerning “ State activities ” which well may engage the serious attention of New Zealanders. “ Individual initiative seems to me,” he said, “.to have been killed in New Zealand by Government activities that extend into every phase of life, and f cannot believe that the public money is expended with the same care that would he exercised by a private spender. It is so much easier to spend the other fellow’s money, when there is no obligation to see that the money spent brings sufficient return. In the case of a private concern. the employee who authorises expenditure without return gets the sack ; in a State job he does not. During the wiir. some of our railways were operated by the Government, and wo noticed a great change from the civility and efficient service we got before. We got used to it in time, but I remember the first day that the railways reverted to the control of private enterprise we all received a shock at llio improved service we got. mid the changed attitude of the officials.” All these utterances seem well worfb the serious attention of the politicians of the Dominion at the present time. NEW ZEALAND’S CHANCES. Bv Mr W. W. Armstrong, who must he numbered among the most famous and most versatile of Australian cricketers, past and present, quite an optimistic view is taken of the prospects of the New Zealand cricket team that is to visit England. That the team will do well among the minor clubs and counties be lias no doubt, and with some luck, which may be borne of confidence and effort, it may bold its own against some of the stronger side. He can express no definite opinion of the strength of ilio team until he has seen more of the members at play, but if it is composed of bettor men than some of those that have been omitted it certainly will give a good account of itself. “T was greatly impressed.” he said. “ with the batting of young Naismitb, of New Plymouth. This lad had a correct stance, sound defence, picked the right brill to hit. and hit it hard. I also consider; Galliehan, of Palmerston North, the

makings of a really good all-rounder.

as he is not only a good batsman, hut a good howler, and is just the stamp

of young player who would have henofitted immensely l>v a trip to England. All I can sav is that if there are bettor players in the New Zealand team than Naismitb and Galliehan. then you must be sending a. very strong side Home.” No higher authority could have spoken.