THE RAILWAY REFORM COMMISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2169, 3 June 1886, Page 3

THE RAILWAY REFORM COMMISSION.

TO THE EDITOK. SfK, — The New Zealand Herald has at length awakened to the grave importance of Kailway Reform, and that it is so is new breath t» the over-strained breast that has *up to the present time been crying in the wilderness f<«r a new railway policy for New Zealand. The Railway League must of necessity feel grateful for the relief which th« Important aiticle in to-day's issue of the leading journal of the colony, the New Zealand Herald, has given, and for the stimulus thus afforded them. But I would wish to dittcr with the Herald in their imputation to the Lon. the Minister for Public Works or the Manager of Railways the present crisis in our period of progress. In all fairness, Sir, let us admit that it is the policy, not the management, that is involved in the present dispute. Sir Julius Voßel is responsible for the Railway Construction Policy of New Zealand, nnd the colony of New Zealand is responsible for the interest on cost of construction, But no particular Government or Minister <s responsible for the present system (or policy) of charge*. English monopoly is responsible for the present system of h\ing rates and charges. I mean by English monopoly, English companies formed for dividend purposes only. They established the present system of charges, and if New Zealand railways are to be run upon that system then the present Government aio not to be blamed any more than the Atkinson, the Wlntaker, or the Grey Government, or the several Ministers of Public Works and railway manager^, under the espionage of these Governments. Sir, it is not a question of party or management, it is a question of general policy. Why are theie fleets of arm.cd.ship off the mouths of the Danube ? Is it not the fear of monopoly of the gre.it right-of-way of Europe ? The railway is the public highway of New Zealand, and must be equally open to all, and differential rating must be abolished. The country as a whole must affirm this and be responsible for the result. The Government must retain control of our railways, and, therefore, it is right that the League should show that loyalty, which it is, under all circumstances its imperative duty to do, namely, to recognise that the Minister of Public Works and General Manager of Railways, as our representatives of the powers that be should be of necessity upon the Royal Commission to be appointed. — Yours obc4i«ntly, -^ William A. Graham. Hamilton, June 2nd, ISBG.