The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1919. BRITAIN'S TRANSPORT SERVICE PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1919. BRITAIN'S TRANSPORT SERVICE PROBLEM.

In the industrial age upon which we are entering transport will probably be the chief secret of success. Speedy and cheap transport is the life and soul of all national activities. In introducing in the British House of Commons last week the "Ways and Communications Bill, Sir Eric Geddes asserted that a regenerated system of transport was essential to housing, health, agriculture and all other industries. Private interests, he contended, meant a colossal waste, and he doubtless had in his i mind the insane railway competi-l tion of some years back, when two or more railways ran almost side bf side, the enormous expenditure thereon being ruinous to the shareholders. The same evil is at work in other activities consequent on the competitive mania seizing the capitalists. Sir Eric Geddes emphasised the fact that private interests must give though

be does not commit himself to nationalisation, yet he admits that the day may come when that principle "will be adopted. Meanwhile there is to be a pronounced effort towards unification. Much more transport and much quicker transport will be needed throughout the world to encourage new industries, to serve more productive fields, and to make it possible for small holders to thrive on the land. There is no desire to underrate competition, which in the past has done good service, but at the expense of the workers. The present trouble with the railwaymen in Britain has forced into prominence the nationalisation question, and has also emphasised the need for the railways to have a united policy, not to exploit the community, but to serve it in such a way as to advance the best interests of the country. It must not be forgotten that nationalisation kills private enterprise, and it is to that enter-

' prise that the Empire owes its exI pansion and prosperity, and yet the waste and extravagance have been so great that the benefits do ■ rived had been disproportionate to the outlay. If there is one more important lesson than another which the war has taught it is the supreme value of co-ordination and unification. Theoretically, we have this in New Zealand, but actually the waste here is on the same lines as in Britain, because the railways are not properly handled. No matter what system of transport is in vogue, its sue cess entirely depends on the organising skill, intelligent foresight and management ability brought to bear on the venture. Under

present conditions of largely increased expenditure on wages it is more than ever necessary to ensure proper and economical management of transport services so that they may be of the utmost service.

Underlying all is the cultivation of a keen spirit of enterprise that will attract and not turn down passengers and goods. It almost seems, however, to be impossible to get better transport service and greater economy—certainly not in State-owned concerns, which have a way of drifting into a rut and becoming arbitrary. Britain may find that it will pay the country in the long run to have Statemanaged railways, even though the Government may not be able to show a paying balance-shee'j from a private shareholder's point of view. That aspect does not afstandpoint, as although the railways may not show any direct appreciable profit, they are affording feet the question from a rational immense assistance towards developing the country's industries and resources, and therefore largely increasing national wealth and prosperity. This contention is well borne out by the case of the Man-

Chester ship canal, a private enterprise, which for years paid no dividend, but from the point of, view of developing the industries of Manchester, and expanding the general wealth of that citv, was a great success. One of the forms of corrupt management to which popular governments are peculiarly liable, is the short-sighted policy of attempting to stifle opposition in order that State concerns may enjoy a fictitious appearance of prosperity, but the remedy lies in the hands of the people," who should insist on deriving the utmost advantage to be gained from State ownership under scrupulous government, and be sternly determined not to put up with the many unnecessary evils. The great point involved is the encouragement and service of industries. The vital interests of the public are dependent on the transport service, and unless this is'well organised and worked great losses will ensue. We are passing through a phase of re-

construction where losses must be eliminated. The transport services on land and sea urgently require regeneration, and Sir Eric Geddes will be doing an enormous service to the Empire if his success in this direction is as complete as were his efforts at the Admiralty.