RE RAILWAY REFORM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2304, 16 April 1887, Page 2

RE RAILWAY REFORM.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —It is certainly amusing, if nothing else, to notice all the one-sided and specious arguments used against "Vaile's scheme," even in many cases were the arguments are not exactly .in opposition. Vaile's scheme is " damned with faint praise." Allow me to sav at the outset I have never spoken to Mr Vaile, and have only seen him once (at the meeting in Hamilton last month), and also that I do not allude at all to Mr J. B. Whyte's letters, but would prefer to leave him and MrG. W. Russell to finish their arguments. My only object now in writing is to contribute my mite to bring about the much-needed "railway reform," and as Mr Vaile has been the only man (so far as I am aware) to initiate and give publicity to a "railway reform scheme," all honour to Mr Vaile say I; and if his opponents, instead of pooh-poohing the whole alfair as Utopian, chimerical, &c., &c., would bring some sound reasoning against it, showing that it is fallacious, it- would be more to their credit. This is my idea of the question ; the railways have been built with the people's money for the benefit of the people and the good of the country. Have they so far answered the end for which they were made? The answer is, No? Now, then, there appears on the scene one Vaile (I do not think it matters whether it is Va(i)le or Hill, Sir R. Hill of penny postage reform, or S. Vaile of New Zealand Railway Reform). The contention of Mr Vaile, as I understand it, is that if 2% people travel under his reform tariff as against one at present, it will be a great saving to the country instead of a great loss. Now, is this correct or not ? I contend most unhesitatingly that they will: I cannot spare the time to write, nor could I expect you to find space in your paper to publish all the arguments (for they are many) ! could bring forward to prove my contention, but one or two examples will suffice (please excuse the personal pronoun, but I always find we can speak more definitely when speaking from experience). I wanted from Auckland an article in my business that would cost £1, but because rail fares were so high I could not afford to go for it, therefore wrote, and, freight charges being so high, it was cheaper to have £3 worth up, although I only wanted £1. And although my consignor did his best to please, yet there are several articles amongst them that are useless. Had "Vaile's scheme" been in practice I should have gone to Auckland for it, and most likely have taken another fare with me. Again, a threshing machine broke down (a few weeks back); a casting and other things were wanted from Auckland. The interested parties wired, and waited, and wired and wated, some days being lost. Had Vaile's scheme been in vogue there would have been another fare—most likely two—for the railway, which in these two instances makes at least two to none. Similar instances could be multiplied daily from all the outlying districts. But, I sir, this (passage phase of_ the subject, important though it may be, is,_t<> my mind, but secondary as compared with the settlement of the which cheap railway fares and freight traffic will bring about. I say " will " for as sure as death the days are coming when the views of such men as Sir G. Grey, Sir R. Stout and Mr S. Vaile will be accomplished facts ; when we shall be able to buy our railway 4 tickets as we buy our postage stamps;

when all post rates will be very much reduced, as well as all telegraphic charges; when Parliament will be compelled by public opinion to enact laws really for the good of the people and country as a whole, and when all Government officials will realise that their duty is by all means to facilitate the work and, consequently, profit of their various departments by civility and attention to their customers, the people. Let every man (aye, and woman too) think the matter out well for themselves, and do their level best to help on this ' cause that needs assistance." — Yours respectfully, T. Tiiewh CELLAR.