RAILWAYS REPORT.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 359, 9 October 1930, Page 4

RAILWAYS REPORT.

THE essence of the report submitted by the Railway Commission rests in the recommendation to free the railways from political control. It has been pointed out many times and in many quarters that it is the first step towards the reorganisation of the railway system which is so needed. So far no Government has been strong enough to face this question, and it remains to be seen if the present Administration will adopt the suggestion in its entirety. The danger rests in a half-way attitude; by imposing conditions modifying the power of the non-political Board and virtually tying its hands. Without depoliticalising the railways the prospects of the other important sections of the report being made operative are rather remote.

There will probably be an outcry against the recommendations to increase fares and freights. But what else remains ? Reduction of expenses cannot meet the deficit which exists, and if the receipts and expenditure are to balance then there must be an increase in the revenue. The public are paying now. Direct payments are always preferable to the indirect process. This adjustment is governed by the abolition of political control. Left under the present system it will become a political football kicked by the politicians to suit their purposes. The report stresses the principle that the cost of development of the railways should not be borne by the railways. In an indirect way it has been given effect to in the past by the use of subsidies from the Consolidated Fund. A general recognition and application of principle in the past would have saved the country many millions spent on non-paying lines.

Consideration of the report causes regret again that the order of reference did not permit of the Commission expressing its opinion on the desirability of building more lines. It is a very useless operation trying to fill a leaking tank without first blocking the holes. Political railways which will not pay only increase the burden that has to be borne. And this is already heavy enough. There is little prospect of any action being taken this session in regard to the major recommendations. It will serve to add interest to the third session, especially since any effort to shelve the report, in the same manner that the Government has treated transport control, will make the matter probably the prominent issue of the General Election.