THE RAILWAY REFORM LEAGUE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2801, 26 June 1890, Page 2

THE RAILWAY REFORM LEAGUE.

TO THK EDITOR. Sin, —In the New Zealand Herald of the 19th inst., the following paragraph from the pen of their Hamilton correspondent appears : " Moreover, so long as the scheme merely relates to passenger fares there is some reason for this state of things, (indifference, or worse), for Waikato settlers appear to have little real sympathy with the movement, as it is a reduction in railway freights, not in passenger fares, in which they are interested." 1 have far too high an opinion of the intelligence of the Waikato settlers to believe for one moment that this paragraph represents their feeling in this all-important matter. There has always been a small section of tho Waikato community, who, if not working with the Department, have at any rate been the covert and determined opponents of the movement. As I have frequently stated, both in writing and from the platform, no one can possibly attach more, if so much, importance to the rearrangement of the goods tanlf as I do, but I understand my work far too well to allow myself to be led into the trap so frequently laid for rne by the Department and their friends. Had I been unwise enough to commence by advocating the application of the new system first of all to goods traffic, the Department would have seen their opportunity and have granted the request. The result would have been a serious financial loss, and a perpetuation of the presentnon-system for an indefinite period. That I exercised sound judgment in commencing with passenger traffic, is proved by the f.ict that the Governments of Hungary, Austria, Spain and Hesse have to do tho sauio thing. 1 think this should convince my Waikato friends that I have acted iu their true interests, and if they will only give me such support as will enable me to deal with the matter effectively I will promise them a goods tariff they shall havo 110 cause to find fault with. 1 know quite well what is wanted, and I also know how to provide for the want. I send herewith some pamphlets 011 which I have marked some passages relating to goods traffic. The fact that four European countries have now adopted the stage system, and that the German Government hus twice sent to ine for full information, should prove to us that the matter is worthy of more serious attention than we have as yet given it. Waikato should by this time have learnt that she has nothing to expcct from the Railway Commissioners. All they ha"e so far done is to add sixteen (1(J) more pages to the already miserably-complicated tariff. — I am, &c., Samuel Vaile. Auckland, 23rd June, 1890.