THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1923. CRITICISM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4523, 5 February 1923, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto : Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1923. CRITICISM.

At the present time considerable criticism is being levelled at the N.Z. Railways Department, especially by the farming community. It must ne admitted that many improvements could be made in our railway system, especially in regard to the running of alleged ‘.‘express” trains, rates of freight, and fares. At the same time, it would be more effective and pleasing i; the criticism showed some little indication that its intentions were constructive. At the recent meeting of th; Dominion executive of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union the N.Z. railways apd their management was,’ according to a “N.Z. Times” report, bitterly attacked, and the speakers, almost without exception, utterly failed to suggest any means by which the disabilities they were stressing could be remedied. According to some of .the speakers everything is wrong—except their criticism. The freights are wrong ; no steps are taken to organise the service; the system is 100 years out of date ; “dairymen had not worried the Minister enough” ; “the more one travelled the more ridiculous one found it” ; “it was time the railways wpke up”; “connections were missed” ; “there were anomalies oif ali sorts” ; “they should insist on drastic reform” ; and ‘‘we should make a considerable noise.” Not a substantial suggestion was made. Not a single speaker propounded even a theory- as to how they proposed to bring about “drastic reform.” It is obvious from the report that the main, and probably the only, things the speakers recognised as likely to achieve their aims were to “worry the Minister” and ‘‘make a considerable noise.” This is all very necessary in a way, just as it is' necessary to bang a gpng to call people to dinner, but it does not suggest, that the agitators for reform have paused to think. There are two sides to railway management, just as there are to everything else, and a representative bodv when airing its grievances should at least make some endeavour to suggest a logical remedy. New Zealand papers go all over the world, and those who read them and observe the continued note of carping, destructive criticism cannot be expected to form any very pleasant opinion of us in relation to our public affairs. A certain amount of just criticism is essential, and, if properly directed, tends to keep public men alert. Overdone, it clogs the wheels of progress’. If ciiticism is warranted, by all means let us ’welcome it. but let it be constructive. Anv fool can destroy, but it takes a man to build up. The man who is always found to be levelling destructive criticism at everything he comes into contact with usually belongs to a typo of self-interested men who view worldly affairs from their own puny individual affairs l —they have had to pay sixpence on a package over and above their estimate of what

the rate should be. They have a blunt, axe, and would sharpen it at the expense of the people. If it were not so, they would advocate measures to sharpen everyone’s axe. Their criticism would be broad and constructive, not savouring of their own hurt feelings. , They would seek to build not to pull down. And better men, who now avoid public life because of the dirt that clings to it, would come forward and assist in bringing about the J’cal reforms .that are necessary. The faults of the people are reflected in their GovernmentPeople get what they deserve —sometimes more.

The safety of the public is one of the first considerations that should occupy the attention of the three local bodies concerned when the question rtf spending money on repairs to the Kopu ferry comes' up for consideration. Judging by Captain Ross’ statements at the recent conference, there have been times when the ferry should not have been allowed to run. While, therfore, adopting, the progressive suggestion of allowing the dead past to bury its dead, the local authorities who have the power to make suggestions to the controlling body (Thames County Council) cannot afford entirely to ignore the lessons of the past. After stating that the punt was not safe, and that it bent and was sometimes under water at both ends, Captain Ross said, “There were times when I should not have gone out at all.” If this was .a statement of fact —and there iS no reasop to believe to tihe contrary—'the lives of passengers by the feiiry have been unnecessarily endangered. No similar state of affairs should again be al- - to exist. The local bodies referred to have already protected the financial interests of the ratepayers by placing the charges on an equitable basis. Their next step should be to ensure that the safety of the public using this convenience is never questionable. The number of passengers travelling by the ferry proves that it serves a useful purpose. But, however useful, no public convenience should be run while there is the slightest doubt as to the safety of the persons travelling by it. The catpain’s evidence cannot Le ignored.