NON-POLITICAL RAILWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 204, 29 August 1910, Page 6

NON-POLITICAL RAILWAYS.

■(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Exporter.) Shis day. Mr. A. L. Herdman is for ever advocating advantages of the non-political commissioner system of railway administration. Speaking in the House of Representatives, he "said the complaints in Xew South Wales had not really been against the Commissioners, but against tiie Government foT not supplying tiie Commissioners with sufficient money to provide for increased traffic. The railways of >"ew South Wales returned a profit of £500.000 a year. 2\lr. Poole: " Largely at the expense of the settlers." Mr. Herdman: "I disagree with that corrment." While he admitted that !Nlr. had great natural abilities, he held thai it was impossible for a Minister to capably manage such a huge undertaking as the New Zealand railways unless he was an expert devoting the whole of his time to the work. ~i.tr. Millar had ra.ilwavs. marine, and labour to' look after. He" had deputations worrying Mm, and banquets to attend, and it was manifestly impossible for bim to give sufficient attention to the railways. 3lr. Herdman remarked that Xew South Wales railway servants got more holidays than their New Zealand contemporaries, and could eventually reach rates of pay under a Commissioner. There the railways could pay all charge?, including interest, good wages, p.n;l still show a handsome profit. There enlist be a leakage somewhere.