MAXWELL MUST GO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2576, 15 January 1889, Page 2

MAXWELL MUST GO.

TO THE EDITOR. Su^ —What have the unfortunate people of New Zealand done that tjiey should be so cursed ?is a question that arises in one's mind when we read that Mr Maxwell hao been appointed Commissioner of Railways. After our experience of Mr Maxwell we are in a position to accord our most cordial sympathy to the ancient patriarch Job, and now our cup of bitterness is full to overflowing we can almost lind it in our hearts to curse, if not the Supreme Ruler, at least our political ones, and die. Not that Job, even in his severest u-ials was ever afflicted with a Maxwell. Sir, yon can well understand the deep indignation felt by the people of this district when they learned that the only elfect of their past protests and agitation has been to place their enemy in a bett.nr position to work them woe. I .sincerely hop.- , that this righteous feeling of indigintiou will take practical shape. The position to my mind is simply this: The past policy of railway management, under Mr Maxwell has; been to tax to the very uttermost llni resources of the country and strangle its few industries. Such being the case under Mr Maxwell as Cnjiieral Manager, and responsible to a. certain degree, to his employers, and necessarily wilh the break put on occasionally, wlnt are we to expect from Mr Maxwell as Commissioner, virtually accountable to no one, with unlimited license to work his own sweet will. Such being undoubtedly the case, Mr Maxwell must go; it is no use blinking the matter. In my opinion, and in the opinion of every man in the community who has been brought in contact with the railway management, that is the only solution of the difficulty ; and it is a question in importance second to none. All other questions of policy sink into indignifksincß along side of it. Maxwell must go ! it may cost time and money now, and certainly will demand combined effort, but the time has arrived when we must shake olf our lethargy and not rest until we have succeeded in getting rid of this Old Man of the Sea. Underlying this question there is one of deeper importance yet (and those who run may read), and it is this : Are we to rule our servants or are they to rule us? Must we be strangled and onr life blood sucked by this civil service octupusV Surely there is'some man left amongst us with sufficient of honest talent and energy, who is- strong and able enough to lend us to victory against this many headed evil. If there is, let him come forth, and rally round him all those who are able and willing to right the good light with him, and he will earn the gratitude of millions yet unborn. It is quite unnecessary to criticise the other appointments on the Commission, as I look upon them in the able hands of MiMaxwell only as so many dummies, and such no doubt they are intended to be. Practically we are giving a sum of £H,200 per annum for the privilege of being ruled by Mr Maxwell. In writing thus I have no grudge against Mr Maxwell personally. Indeed. I consider the very fact of his being able to keep, and even improve, his position in the face of very considerable opposition, si amps his ability as one of no mean order; hut none the. less on that account, do I believe wo shall have no satisfaction from our railways until we have seen the last of Mr Maxwell.—l am, yours etc. CD. Hamilton.