RAILWAY CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1930, Page 5

RAILWAY CONTROL

URGE TO REMOVE GOVERNA LENT CONTROL;

By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, October 15. Unanimous approval of the principle that the railways should he removed Trom political control, was expressed at a meeting of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. A telegram as received from the Palmerston North Chamber seeking support for the request that the Government- should give effect to the recommendations of the Railway Commission. that management of the Department be transferred to persons not subject to political influence. The Chairman ALr D. J. Alc-Gowan, said the Chamber had long advocated the removal of railways from political

control. Air A. J. Curtis- said he doubted whether a Board would improve the running of the trains. The Chairman—“ Our point is to take them out of political control.” Air Curtis—“ What would the General Ala nagev do then?” The Chairman—“l don’t know. The principle is the 'thing that railways should he taken out of political control.” Mr Curtis—“l quite agree. I don’t think that the appointment of a Board would solve the problem.” Tho Chairman---“It would be a step in the right direction.” Mr Curtis—“Do you think a Board of Control c-ould turn a deficit into a profit?” “No. but it might save some of the losses being made at the present time,” replied the Chairman. “It is proposed for instance to push on with, a line, which when completed would, show a yearly loss of about £37,000. Would any business man stand for that sort of thing?” Mr Curtis—“ They are supposed to have a very able man now. Can’t he do anvthing to stop- that? Hasn’t he power?” The Chairman—“We understand when he was appointed he would have unanimously decided to support the principle that railways be removed from political control.”