AN INEFFICIENT SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 90, 2 September 1912, Page 4

AN INEFFICIENT SERVICE.

Speaking in the House of Representatives tht! other evening, Mr. Isitt stated that the railway service of this country compared favorably indeed with the service in the districts off the main lines in England, and was in every way superior to the services in Ireland and other countries he mentioned. He was opposed to importing an expert from England or America to run the railways, contending that we have talent in this country quite good enough to undertake the task. We beg to disagree with the member for Christehureh North. The running of our railways leaves much to be desired. The results are creditable neither to the management nor to the people who own the railways. If they belonged to a private concern, and the same blundering methods obtained, the same disregard for the public's convenience was shown, the same inefficiency in nearly every branch was manifested, there would lie a demand from one end of the country to the other for an immediate improvement, or the nationalisation of the service. One lias not to go as far as Europe to lind comparisons prejudicial to the working of our service. Every Australian State can give us points in management and leave us far behind. It is better management that is wanted in our railway running. We believe that for ability and knowledge the staff operating our railways would compare favorably with the staffs of any country in the world, but without thorough organisation and leading no staff can be expected to obtain the best results. At present, the services are well in the rear of the public's requirements. Initiative and keeping abreast of the times are things quite foreign to the management. Such a course as anticipating needs never seems to occur to the barnacles of the service. Perhaps no province in the Dominion suffers so much from the inefficient management as Taranaki. Representation and protests on the part of the public have availed nothing in the paast. A striking example of this inconsiderateness was furnished on Saturday. The mail train from Wellington to New Plymouth was crowded, At Wangaimi the refreshment car was, as usual, taken off. So also was at least one large carriage. The train was full before then, and the passengers of the shunted car had to find accommodation elsewhere. The result may be imagined. Sitting room was at a premium, and many were compelled to stand for the rest of the journey. Such a condition of things is simply disgraceful. The management seem to be quite insensible to their obligations to the public—their real masters—and study them not at all. We are aware that it is useless complaining while the present system obtains. That is why we welcome the idea of a remodelling of the service on up-to-date lines, with an able man, removed from political control, directing affairs. Travellers might then receive some consideration and the service be less of a reproach than it unfortunately is at present.