"NO POLITICAL INFLUENCE"

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 56, 8 March 1922, Page 4

"NO POLITICAL INFLUENCE"

CONTROL OF RAILWAYS

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CRITICISM.

(it TILHRAFH.—PKIiS AIIOCUTION.)

; OHEISTCHURCH, 7th March. The Government's railway policv was vigorously attacked to-day at the" conference of delegates to the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association of Now Zealand.

Mr. Mitchell (Dunedin) said he -was sure every person in New Zealand reeented the absolutely senseless way in which the New Zealand, railways were being run. He proceeded to give instances of alleged bad management, and said that, instead of making the Tailways more attractive, the Gqvernment was doing just the reverse, while from a business point of view. Che action taken by the Government for so-called economies wonld never hold water. Several constituencies -were practically controlled by railway servants, which showed where the political influence came in. He moved to the effect that the Government be asked to take steps to sell the railways.

Sir. A. Thompson (Auckland) said no business man could tolerate the manner in which the railways were being Tun to-day. Mr. F. H. King (Otago) said the world's experience had been that Stateowned railways had never been a success, -while those of private enterprise were. -Mr. B. C. Croll (Wellington) did not think the motion would go very fur, but it might resuscitate a dormant spark and lead towards a better system. Mr. H. J. Clifton (Auckland) agreed that too much could not be said about the manner in which the railways weTe conducted, but to suggest that their management should pass into the hands of a private combine was altogether against the' ideas of a democratic country, and would come ill from such a body a3 the Commercial Travellers' Association. Such a motion, he added,,should not go forth from the association. ■

Mr. D. W. M'Lean (Auckland) said the whole matter resolved itself into the need for more commercial men •in the Government. Personally, ,he thought the motion was a little too strong, and ■would like to see the words regarding the selling deleted. Mr. Mitehell agreed to amend the motion to read as follows :■—"ln consequence of our members', realisation that the railways are not being run in the best interests of the country, and their conviction that the only solution of the existing difficulties lies in proper commercial control, it is hereby resolved that the Government be asked to consider the advisability of selling the railways, with a view to their being conducted under efficient management."

Later on, Mr. Mitchell agreed to accept a-modification of his motion. The alteration lay only in regard to . the "selling" part of the motion., the la-st •part of which .was altered to read : "Tho Government be asked to consider the advisability of taking sjeps to bring the Department under efficient commercial control, free from, political influence," and in that form the motion was carried. ft