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Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1930, Page 4

There are two public matte it! ol very special concern to the Government just now, and for the financial reasons involved, both matters must he the cause of great and very serious concern. The two subjects are the railways and the hydro-electric propositions. In regard to the- former, in a special Statement to the House last week, the Hon. Veitch said he viewed the future with hope, b\it did not communicate the basis on which those expectations were founded. At the moment the Minister. and Parliament is waiting the report of the Railway Commission, and probably praying for better times to arrive and solve the difficulties. There is no real move to> meet the situation which is plain from period to period, as the monthly loss on the running of the railways is chronicled. The Government of course has made some attempt to stem the tide, but it has not been nlwayn ns resolute in this matter a 9 it should, It has temporarised about the closing down of nou ? nayable lines, and where ieductions of staff have taken ploce, outside pressure has resulted generally in some modification of “the situation—but the loss gocp on. r Jbe past find present Governments have tried different systems of administration and have called in experts to heilp. but the loss has grown rather than being checked. It seems hopeless to exnect the report of the Royal Commission to (settle the matter. Unit it should at least be helpful if. the House has the courage' to put the recommendations into effect. For that result we must wait and see. In the House last week, Mr Coates who was an active Minister of Railways, and was responsible for important actions regarding the management of the railways, has now suggested that the railways be handed over to a nonpolitical Board. This is not a 'erv original suggestion for it has been tried before, and other States aie managing their railways by such a Board, But there is not any guarantee of success by such a means. On the contrary, the evidence is lather against the practice. The Labour Party is least concerned about'' the railways paying, for they affirm that as a public utility they bring' great advantages to the oommounity, which i|s more than a set off for the loss, but that does not balance the accounts, and the money has to he found year,by year for the recurring deficit. Railways we know, are of vital importance here, but the cost must be cut down ’ and the service if need be, to avoid national disaster. The loss is a growing, one, and that causes uneasiness as to the future. If the Roval Commissions report fails to meet the situation and the possibilities. then Parliament ftiust grapple definitely with the matter before the present session ends.