RAILWAY REFORM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2828, 28 August 1890, Page 3

RAILWAY REFORM.

A MBKTING of those interested in railway reform was held in the Waikato County Council Chambers on Tue.sday afternoon to protest against the treatment by Parliament of tlm petition in favour of Vaile's railway reform scheme, and to consider the future action to be taken by the League. There were present: Messrs I'rimrose (Chairman of the Waikato Railway Reform League), W. A. Murray, .1. J. Bnrugh. It. J. (iwynne, G. Kdgecumbe, Jno. Parr and I , '. J. von Stunner, and Capts. MnPherson and Rrnciman. The Chairman briefly explained the object of the meeting, and said there was no doubt that railway reform was greatly needed, and waa not the fad he had heard it designated by some people. The present House- waa exhausted, and would do nothing in the mutter, as evidenced by the treatment received by the petition signed by 8000 persons, and it now remained in the hands of the public to do something with the Parliament to be shortly elected. Mr Parr then moved as follows, " The Waikiito Railway Reform League have learned with surprise and regret that thu petition presented to the House of Rfijiresentatives, asking for a trial of Vaile's scheme of railway reform, though signed by more than 8000 persons, was considered of not sufficient importance to be so much as even discussed in the House, being only sent on to the Railway Commissioners, without any recommendation." He said that perhaps he held different opinions from most people on this subject. People werfl living in the country nut from choice but from neeeewity, the cost of land near the largor centres driving them away. He thought that having to live away from the centres of population, and thus being deprived of the social enjoyments to be obtained there, was sufficient without being further handicapped by heavy fines and freights, and he held the country settlers should be as near these centres as regards fares and freights as those living near the centres, the time lost in travelling being sufficient punishment for living at a distance, and the Government should use their best endeavours to bring this about. He aaid no language was too strong to protest against Mm great slight cast on so many persona by the petition not being even discussed. Mr J. J. Barugh .seconded the motion, and said the petition had received very cavalier treatment at the hands of the Government. Mr \V. A. Murray said he did not quite concur with Mr Vaile's views, but he thought a protest should be wade against the scant courtesy received at ths hands of the Government by such a large petition. Railway reform, he said, was an absolute necessity if the country is to progress, but he did not know if Mr Vaile's scheme would be the success that he claims for it. He said that he had studied Mr Vaile's pamphlets carefully, and ho thought that his statement, that under his system it would only take two fares to every one under the present system to get the same return, was not correct, for, as there would not be a doubling of the shorter fares, which are considerably the greatest, tin: longer fares would require to be increased up to six fold. It seemed to him that the appointment of Mr Maxwell was a direct slap in the face to the colony, and the trains at the present appeared to be run iu the interest of the bondholders at Home, and not of the colony at large. It was an insult to those signing the petition in referring it back to the Commissioners. Electors should make railway reform, and other matters connected with the fanning interests, cardinal points at the next election. Mr Primrose corrected Mr Murray a? to the doubling of the fares. Mr Fife, the (lovernment Actuary, showing that under Vaile's scheme only two faies would be required to every one under the present system. Mr Edgecumbe pointed out the success of a similar scheme in Hungary, and said that it was answering better than even the most sanguine had expected. Unless they have some definite scheme to bring forward there is no uho agitating, and if Vaile's scheme is a success or not it is a step iu the right direction, that of giving to the out settlers the privileges they have a right to expect. Capt. MePhers in said Mr Vailo had proved his scheme feasible, and had convinced such men as .Sir Harry Atkinson and the late James Mac Andrew, and he had heard no valid objection to the scheme. Apart froin money-making the establishment of such a system would tend to thu settlement of the country and it would bu of no use continuing the policy of buying up thu land in Lbu King Country if thu present system of railway management is to he carried out. Vaile's scheme had never been controverted, and he thought that the Government should at least give it a fair trial. Mr Parr's resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Captain MePhurson then moved, " That this League is of opinion that Vaile's scheme of railway reform should be made a lest question at the next general election, and that any candidate who will not pledgu himself to advocate and support it in Parliament should be rejected by the electors." Seconded by Captain Kuucimau. Mr George Kdueciiiubu asked tint thu words "oue of the test questions " ho sit ostituted, but Captain McPlkmou diuiincd lo maki! tlio alteration and , uiil lint no candidate without a, faithful pludge lj Vaile's scheme would receive hiu mipyort.

Mr liniugh : " Nor mine either." Mr Primrose said thataftre.it (leal w»paid about the loss that would result to the colony if a trial of this scheme was Riven, but even, he said, if there were a loss of €50,000 it would not make the country bankrupt and it would kill the present agitation which is general throughout the colony, for if it were a failure no one would be mad enough to continue the agitation. Mr \V. A. Murray said he did not think there would be a loss oil even one year's working if the scheme was what it was claimed. If a five years'trial was granted there would be no fear of loss and the wealth-producing power of the country would bo immensely increased. Captain Mcl'hersou's motion was then put and carried unanimously. It was resolved to forward copies of these resolutions to the Auckland Railway Koform League.