RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1507, 16 November 1885, Page 2

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

It is to be hoped, writes a southern exchange, that the Government of New Zealand will carefully watch the working of the new system of railway management m Victoria. It 'needs no argument to prove that this country needs a lesson or, two j from some teacher. The railways are m all respects so differently situated m Great Britain that it is no use to look there for any assistance. Victoria has made a new departure, and the result so far appears to be a most unqualified success. Kvecybody, it is said, is satisfied and gratified with the first year's work of ithe Commissioners. The course pursued, that of taking the iron roads off the hands of the '.Government and placing them under responsible and competent management, ;has been emphatically justified. The gross profit shows an increase of 50 per cent., while the gross earnings per train mile are a trifle less, and the total amount required from the consolidated revenue to make, up interest on debenture 1 capital of close on twenty-two millions was only •£39,579.- Were it not for ithe "political lines," not a penny wojuld be required from the Treasurerj to> wards payment of interest on loans: And, trifle though it may seem, i-t is a matter of immense moment to ;the public, all the officials treat the customers of the railways with civility and attention. The ( management of the Victorian railways never yas very defective from the point • of view of those accustomed to travel m New Zealand, but if under the new regime such an improvement and such a saving have been effect-} ed, our Government might surfely learn all the particulars of the system and adopt it; here. •