THE RAILWAY CUT

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 40, 16 August 1921, Page 8

THE RAILWAY CUT

70 THI EDITOR. Sir, —Seems like locking the door after the horse has bolted. It is surely time the Government considered our public services. The cry for superannuating officers who have reached the retiring age is in the right direction, and will, if carried out, preate larger savings than " cuts " in services or dismissal of lowerpaid servants on to a bare labour-mar-ket. I suggest that all Civil servants who are due to retire should be forthwith dispensed with, and that their places be not filled meantime. This would mean the retiring of several persons in receipt of our largest salaries and a minimum of discomfort. As regards the railway service particularly, there is another aspect—why not cut out unprofitable-ventures? It would be interesting to hear if the goods agents' positions created by Mr. Hiley are still held. Instance also the refresh-ment-room service, at one time creating a rental of £10,000 a* year, is, notwithstanding the high prices charged, apparently losing; money. It is_ common knowledge that private enterprise is pre pared to furnish the public for 6d, and pay rentals, what the Department is collecting 8d for in refreshments. The cost to the public must mean at leaet a further £20,000 yearly. Take, again, th» unprofitable coal purchase in England. Surely it would have been good business to have taken the opportunity of cancelling during the coal strike in England. It would be even cheaper to sell the coal at a low in England rather than pay transport charges on same. Sufficient would be realised to purchase an almost equal quantity of coal in New Zealand, and thuß help our own industry. —I am, otc., J. A. NOBLE. 15th August.