RAILWAY REFORM A CORRECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2698, 26 October 1889, Page 2

RAILWAY REFORM A CORRECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—ln your report of the meeting of delegates there are one or two errors in what I am reported as saying. Instead of stating that we had 3000 miles of railway in 1884, 1 said, or intended to say, that we now have 381 more miles than we had in 1881; that we have expended another £2,080,000 in construction, but that the colony has now a luss train service by 7G.951 miles than it had five years ago. Our total mileage open is 1,777. Speaking in reference to reductions in goods rates, I wished to point out the hopelessness of expecting any real relief in this respect so long as the present system remains in force, and I said that the " pottering" concessions now made were simply brought about by the well-known process of robbing Peter t> pay Paul. A clamour arises in a certain district for reductions. Flow this is to bo granted? becomes a question. The Commissioners must show that they are making a protir, teal or pretended, so if concessions are to bo given ill one direction, something must bo taken in another, and the general plan has been to reduce the tr.iin service in the weaker districts and apply a portion of the money so " saved " to the reduction of rates in the richer and stronger districts. Then a great pretence is made of giving reduced rates and increasing the revenue. This is how it is that, notwithstanding our increased expenditure, increased mileage, increased production, increased population, our railways render the country a much less service tlmu they did five years ago.—l am, &c, Sam u Bt, Vailk. Hamilton, 25th October, 1889.