Sleepers For M.P.’s

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 28, 27 October 1945, Page 6

Sleepers For M.P.’s

Sir, —On arriving recently in Wellington by the 6.20 p.m. from Waterloo, we berthed next to the platform occupied by No. 688—the Limited —for Auckland. Walking down the platform. I noted the make-up of the Limited was as follows: Two seconds, one first, and no fewer than six sleeping cars, and a van. Being a railwayman myself, I was aware that when the coal shortage became acute, sleeping cars were cut out of No. 688,

and also from No. 626, the 3 p.m. tram. On inquiring from a member of tile platform staff as to the reason, I was informed that it was due to members of Parliament going home for the weekend recess. It seems, therefore that when these gentlemen require to be conveyed home, sleepers can be product'd like rabbits out of the proverbial hat, despite the fact that on ordinary occasions they are not available for John Citizen and his family.

I should very much like to know what is the measure of the conceit or importance of these men that they can have at. their disposal a means of travel denied to ordinary passengers, for which (bey do not have to puy. Those who profess' to represent the working class iu Hits country, say—or used to—that they stand for the masses of the people and not for the privileged few. Very well. Then let them prove their sincerity by travelling as those whom they say they represent, do, by second class, or at tne very least, in ordinary first class cars. Perhaps the officials at the booking office or the reservations would care co reveal how many ordinary passengers were not able to travel by No. GSB on Friday night, because of the fact that second class accommodation suffered from the inclusion of nil those sleepers. 1 have in my mind, in particular, all those members of the Armed Forces, now on a well-earned leave, who may have wisiuHt to travel that night, and were prevented, by slavish adherence to the custom that because M.P’s are M.P’s, they should no conveyed at the expense of those whose servants they really are, or are supposed to be. No wonder the miners strike! Who can blame them? —I am, etc., R. BELLWOOD. Lower Hutt, October 23.