LEASING THE AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 300, 19 September 1888, Page 3

LEASING THE AUCKLAND RAILWAYS.

Auckland, September 15. Tui: Hoii. Mr Mitchelson, Minister- o£ Public Works, received a deputation this morning at the Manager's room, Auckland Railway Station, of gentlemen interested in the working oioiu- railways. The deputation included Messrs A. H. Nathan, Jno. Reid, A. Bell, LI. Green and S. Vaile, and the object of the deputation was to ascertain , _ whether the Government weie really 1 " prepared to name any sum of money that they would accept as a guarantee against los 3 dining; a trial of the Auckland section of the colonial railways on lease. Air Green introduced the subject. Ho spoke of the excesei\e rates charged for the transport of coal on the local lines compared with English rates, and he also expressed the opinion that if any good was to be done in the country the present railway transit system must be alteied to meet the country's requirements. Some 'e'onvercation then took: place between Mr Mitchelson and Mr Vaile. Mr Vaile argued that not only had he proved his contentionin theo y, but thatonthe railways of Whangareiand Kamoexpeiimeiitsshuwed that he was abaolu tely i ijrht. He called the Mm'ster's attention to the fact that on the Whangaiei Jine e\ery branch ol traffic had improved dm ing* the las,t eight weeks by from 44£ per cent, to 66^ per cent., w'lile at the same time the working expenses had decreased 36 per cent. He pomted out that the argument ol the Railways Depaiiment had always been thab the increased revenue deihed from the Whangarei line was due to the cessation of coal traffic, and that the return just quoted showed that the coal tonnage had increased by 46*6' per cent. They were now cairying nearly half as much more coal than formerly, while the working expenses had decreased. The Department, he therefore argued, could not be right in their contention, and. the impiovemenfc must be due to the alteiation of system. Mr Vaile also said that any reasonable guarantee could be given for the leading of the rail\va3 j s, and that the deputation wanted him to name what sum the Government would require. Mi Mitohelson asked whether, in the event of the Government being prepared to lease the lines, the deputation would reduce the rate of wages paid to the laihvay employees ? Mr Vaile replied that he had already stated his opinion publicly chat all men employed on railways, no matter what their position, and their various grades, should receive the highest class of wages j that as a matter of fact, their wages ought to be above outside wages, seeing the responsibility of their occupations. As to how much above the outside rate, He was- not now prepared to say. - Mr Mitchelbon assured the deputation that the Government weie sincerely anxious to do what was right in * is matter, and chat, it it could be proved that Mr Vaile's system was better than theiis, they were prepared to do what they, could in effecting improvements. Mr Vaile asked whether the Government would nominate a certain number of gentlemen, say four, he (Mr Vaile) and his friends nominating four others to- go through these matteis in detail and report, and if he proved his position, they would recommend his system having a trial. Mr Vaile said that personally, ho would very much prefer to see a tiial of the new system carried out under the supervision of a committee nominated as proposed, and be suggested two gentlemen nominated by the Government, two -by the Chamber of Commerce, one by the Pastoral Association (himself), and one appointee. Mr Bell &poke strongly in support of what Mr Vaile had said. He pointed out the great disadvantage under which the country settlers laboured, and impressed upon Mr Mitchelson that it was absolutely necessary to do something for their relief, if settlement was to progress. Other members of the deputation also spoke on the desirability for improvement in railway management. -Mr Mitchelson then assured the deputation that on his return to Wellington he would again bring the whole 'matter before the Government, and see what could be done in the direction indicated. The deputation then expressed their acknowledgment to Mr Mitchelson for his courtesy and withdrew. — " Auckland Star,"