OUR RAILWAYS AND RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3190, 3 December 1892, Page 2

OUR RAILWAYS AND RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS.

■♦ TO THK EDITOR. Sik,—My attention has been directed to your sub-leader, of the 15th inst., and I trust you will afford me space for a few remarks thereon. The paper which yon criticise was written with the two-fold object of showing the real position of our railways, and also of proving that in no respect have we improved our position by placing them under an irresponsible board. In this I claim I have succeeded. My comparison was for the three years precoeding the appointment of the Commissioners and the three years of their management. As regards construction, while the Commissioners are not responsible for that, it is clear that their appointment has not helped us in that matter. During the first period we opened llii new miles of railway, and obtained at least £120,000 worth of rolling stock for £1,000,023; while during the latter term we only obtained 92 miles of railways for £1,183,854, while it is yet to be proved by the Commissioners and their friends that tho rolling stock is equal in value to what it was when they took charge. As regards tho engines, auyone who will tal.-e the trouble to compare return No. 13 of the Commissioners'reports for 1881) and 1892 will see that my statement is correct. As to passenger carriages it is for the Commissioners to show that the seating accommodation has been increased. I do not believe that it has ; certainly the returns do not show that it has. I quite agree with you that it is a change in the policy of administration that is needed, and my quarrel with the Commissioners is because they are determined that no change shall take place if they can by any means prevent it. Nothing will persuade them to part with u system that suits them and their friends so well. As I have many times said before, I care not who the men are—so long as the present no-system is persisted in, so long we must suffer. This is proved by the way things have gone in Victoria ami are rapidly going here and in New fviuth Wales-. As a contrast, we sen what is taking place in Hungary. There, after working passenger traffic for two years on tho Z'ine system with very great success, they have,_ now applied the fame system to goods traffic. I have no tear as to the result in this department also. It will be remembered that our Commissioners have persistently stated that the Zone system is a financial failure. You speak a truth when you say that any " change must emanate from the people thomselvns.' . It will never come until the public bestir themselves and demand it. 1 regret seeing that your article does not deal with the decreasing rate of interest, the increasing working expenses, the increasing pas.-eneer and goids Uμ flic, or the increased cost of transporting goods, These are very important matters.— I am, &0., Samuki. Vaii.k. Auckland, 28th November, lS'.tt.