The Waihato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1887.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2403, 3 December 1887, Page 2

The Waihato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY , DEC. 3, 1887.

HfjiKi) ;wul u.N.'u’t justice to all men, Ol whatsoever state ot persuasion, religious or political.

Wi: have said that the most salient principle which should animate the railway policy ol ! the colony is the promotion of hoim fide permanent settlement of the laud, Eoviowmg the Government Endways 33111 in a recent issue wo looked wilh a degree of caution at the proposals to relegate to a virtually irresponsible body like the Board of Commissioners powers of such an extraordinary nature as the Bill confers upon thorn. Armed with authority of the widest extent, and having in their hands the control of probably the largest business establishment in Now Zealand with which the interests of all classes of the community arc identified more or less in the exigencies of trade and commerce, the political influence that may become concentrated in the Commissioners would develops into as serious an evil against the general well-being as (.lie dominance exercised by the railway magnates in the Uni I ini Ktates over the legislature of the Great lie-public. It may be possible to secure men of such remarkable rectitude and immutability of character that (hey will be incorruptible or unswayed by the selfish intrigues of cliques. Bub past experience lias taught us, especially the lesson of !a(e years of New Zealand Eavliamentary history', that the eousidoralions of party, and thoprossnro of class or of corporate bodies with large stake in the country', can exert a potential intlnonee over the mind and policy of Parliaments and Governments; therefore it is reasonable to fear that the loss formidable front presented by a Board of three Commissioners will be overborne by similar forces from time to time. Another phase of the question has to bo considered, and that is whether under an independent Board the management of the railways will not be removed beyond the bonolloial watchfulness of the Press, and more regardless of public opinion, than is the case under existing conditions. The oppressive character of the, railway tariff' has for years given rise to popular complaints of a "rave nature, and in all parts of the colony instances without end have been forthcoming of the baneful ollects of the freights upon the progressive settlement of the country. Yet, notwithstanding unceasing representations in the Press, constant agitation on the, part of the public in many important districts, and the attention given by Parliament to the demands for reform, the machinery' of the Bail way Department has run on without improvement. Hitherto the accepted policy of the country has been to manipulate the railways with the one absorbing desire, to procure a maximum of revenue out of the people; and in carrying out this policy to the bitter end it has exhibited to what extent folly will go in stubborn pursuit of an object contrary to recognised Jaws, The railways have been a deterrent to the prosperity of the agricultural and pastoral districts of the colony ; they have been a positive auxiliary to the universal depression by intensifying the hardness of the times in New Zealand through the repressive and obnoxious rates and charges. Producers have been shut out from the most profitable markets to which they have access by rail, owing to the heavy transit charges on all class. ,s of farm produels, which cannot be justified on eipiitablu grounds in the face of tl ie miserably low prices the tanners are able to is aii/,0. 'Clic.se unnatural diliicallus, which no sagacious Government should allow to exist for a day, have been the ruin of settlement. The vast expenditure carried on for years with the millions procured under the Public Works Policy has had the, one prominent eliect of augmenting the large renlres to abnormal proportions whilst the country districts have remained stationary

111' < 1 i ‘!!! U l l -(! Ilf till! real Lone ;uul Kiiii’w of tin' colony, an industrious agricultural [rijialalion. The railway;;, which have, to such a iar”c extent, taken the place of 11 1 1! old highways, should full'd tho sumo destiny. They should ho Iho primary means for inducing people to move into the country ami settle on rural lauds and in sparsely peopled districts, where facilities for procuring farms are offered. This cun never he successfully olfccted without low freights fur the carriage of goods ami produce, all oilier tilings being iaj ual, such ns easy conditions for settlement on lands and reasonable prices for freeholds. No other economic view of the value and utility of (State railways can bo taken : it is a grave error to endeavour to work thorn solely for revenue purposes. Before any onestum of the appointment of a Board of Commissioners is discussed the lirst duty of our representatives should he to decide upon what policy shall our railways be worked ; shall they continue to be run as a means for raising revenue or for the settlement of the country ?