A FRESH START

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 93, 21 April 1931, Page 8

A FRESH START

—, ♦ ■■ ■ By passing ihc Government Kailways Amendment Bill llie House of Representatives has made provision for a fresh start in the management of this important national enterprise. In the past political considerations have influenced control of the railways. Lines have been constructed where they should riot have been, freights have been adjusted to serve an industrial protective or subsidy purpose, and even the staffing has been subject to considerations which should not enter into the control of a business service. We do not believe that the Bill will remove these influences completely. There are weak points in the measure which niay permit a Government to interfere if it wishes to do so; but the outstanding obstacles in the way of business management have been removed. Quite rightly, the Prime Minister lias recognised .that this modification of political control must apply also to the construction of new lines. It would be ridiculous to give a board control of completed railways and permit Parliament at the same lime to retain the unfettered right to load the system with unprofitable lines. The inauguration of this new system has demanded courage, and the Prime • Minister has shown that he possesses it. lie has had to withstand opposition, even from members of his own party, and many jibes about inconsistency; but we think the country will recognise that he has done his duly honestly and fearlessly. He has realised that the economic conditions demand that old ideas must be altered, and that the revolution in transport methods must be met by new methods in management. His task is not yet complete. The success of the new system will depend to a great degree upon the capacity of the board, hi choosing the members of the board, the Government will, we trust, endeavour to forge a strong link between the railways and the commercial community. By excluding members of the Legislature the Government has given an earnest of its desire to keep politics out of ihe business, and we hope that this determination will not be weakened. It is not necessary to seek men with expert knowledge of railway operation. The Department itself has the experts fully qualified to advise on all technical questions. The men required are men with sound business training who will be able to frame a broad policy and support the management in carrying it out.