Our Railways.

Manawatu Herald, 20 June 1893, Page 2

Our Railways.

The Oiago Agriculturist and Pastoral Society in April issued the following circular:— Sir, — I am instructed by the, Committee of this Society to ask you to send me at your convenience (but not later than 6th May) your opinion as to the management of the State Railways, i.e., as to whether you think that they should be worked as at present—entirely free from political control ; or whether the old system should be reverted — of management under the direct control of Parliament. The next session of Parliament is expected to open in June, and the Committee have noticed that several Membeis (none of whom, by the way, contribute to the Railway revenue) have expressed strong opinions in favour of the old system. The agricultural and pastoral interest is the backbone of the Colony, and farmers are the best customers of the Railways, and have more practical experience as to their management than politicians can possibly have. Whatever, therefore, the opinion of the producers of Otago may be, it must of necessity carry a great deal of weight with their representatives in the House when the question comes up for discussion. Replies from eight societies were received all objecting most strongly to the railways coming under political control. The Society also received replies from 102 business men and farmers to the like effect, and amongst them the following appeared : — From Beid & Grey, Manufacturers, Dunedin. In reference to your circular as to the Management of our Railways, we would much deprecate their again falling into the hands of the Government, and think that their removal from the dangers of political interference to a non-political Board of Commissioners was a step in the right direction, and, a. policy, which should be adhered to in the fiifare; From John Bejd, Sheep farmer, Elderelie, Oainaru, ' In reply to the circular issued by the Association I beg to say, that I am now, and always *' haw: :bSln, strongly in favour of the working of the Railways being placed in the hands of a competent board— -alto* gether free from Government' fiqn* trol. - 'i ,-:w As a member of the Railway Com* mission in 1880, I saw enough to convince me that the change , whiph afterwards took place was very.necessary ; the Commission made this a very strong recommendation in their report to the Governor. I have seen nothing in the management of the present Board to cause me to alter my opinion ; there are doubtless many improvements yet to be effected in charges 1 in' certain classes of traffics which would benefit both the revenue and the settlers, but I think that,, on the whole, the present Commissioners have shown a great amount , of . .good judgment, and a desire to dp their best. Any interference on the part of the Miuisters would not be to result beneficially for the public. From Keith Ramsay, Chairman of ber of Commerce, Dunedin. > In reply to your circular .of llSth April, I have no hesitatiori^n saying that to move the control p|fche^N.Z. Railways from the Commissioners to Parliament, or to the 6oyer|ime.nt of the Colony for the time being, would be a serious blunder. \ Jiq qne will say that there is no room': fprr improvement in the management of our Railways, and the; addition of another Commissioner, -a main of large business experience, would, I think, be an advantage. That the Railways are much better managed by the Commissioners than they ever were when under political control is abundantly evident from the almost unanimously expressed opinion, against the proposed change, of those who use them most. From A. C. Begg, General Manager R. Campbell & Sons, Ltd., Dunedin. t t In reply to your circular ci fslh inst, in reference to the proposal to put the working of the New Zealand Railways under pqUtica^-Mopntjol. I am of opinion that were ? sucbJa proposal carried out, it would be a great calamity to the colony. The management by Commissioners is doubtless capable of improvement, but the fact remains that their principal object must necessarily be good and successful management, uninfluenced by ulterior motives. This cannot be said of any system of political management which can be devised. Political management must necessarily be to some extent influenced by motives which take no account of successful results, and may be so influenced to such an extent that the successful working of the Railways becomes a merely

secondary consideration, the first consideration being that the greatest possible political support shall be secured for the Ministry of the day. From Bino. Hahrih & Co., Manufacturers, Dunedin. We are in receipt of your circular dated 15th inst. re the Management of our State Bailways, and in reply we beg to state that we are most decidely of opinion that they ought to be managed as at present, that is, entirely free from political control.