THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18101, 17 June 1924, Page 9

THE RAILWAYS.

TO THE EDITOE OP "THE TBESS." Sir,—l have read what has appeared in your journal and others; also I have had one or two emphatic differences with the Department. As a newcomer, it may not be out of place, with your permission, to state my views. The Italian and Eussian railways are said to be the worst in Europe. The New Zealand railways are worse than tho Italian ov pre-war Russian; they may be summed up in one word, abominable. On the boat in which I came out, there were one or more passengers coming to look at New Zealand before deciding to reside here; one certainty decided to reside elsewhere, as the cost of living here was too high. It has struck me that no one I have met regards the railways as vital to the well-being of< the country, and yet the time may not be very far off when that will be put to the test. The only reason the country is not at present suffering from the inefficient service is that it has had everything in its favour, plus the very ostimablc people on tho land. Amongst tho reasons of Germany's pro-war industrial success was her wonderful transport system. Before leaving England, I enquired if administration at Wellington was superior to Whitehall. I was told that it was. But, unfortunately, this is not so. The prototypes of Whitehall may "be found in Wellington in excelsis, and apparently glory in it. Enclosed is a foolscap sheet and envelope from tho Railway Department acknowledging a complaint. I do not know of any railway system which so wastes its resources, and it is typical of the Department. Has New Zealand money to burn? A Department which is conducted in this way must demoralise its staff, to whom it will appear as if nothing mattered, and expense was not of the smallest consideration. If I were a manual' worker on the railways and such extravagances came under my noI should most certainly have pronounced views on the subject. The order for reference for the examination of the railways, which has been reported in the Press, does not include the offices which are apparently amongst the worst sections of the Department. Recently, when lunching at Woodville station, I sat between two New Zealand gentlemen who were acquainted with London. One said he believed that the clerical staff at Wellington were about the same number as the clerical staff at one of the big London termini, which had at least 50 times the traffic to deal with; perhaps 100 times would be nearer. I am not at all surprised that Labour asks for a 44-hour week, considering the circumstances, and through the medium of another journal I asked Labour some questions. One was: Can a country whose people work.44 hours per week pay off its war debts. Mv enquiries were not answered. The abominable railway service is forcing the importation of motor-cars, and e-cfa -oxDcnses of keeping up the roads, and generally putting the country to expenses which should not exist.Yours, etc., WANKLTX;