RAILWAYS & THE GENERAL MANAGER

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

RAILWAYS & THE GENERAL MANAGER

(To the Editor.) Sir,—-In your issue of yesterday you published an article by the Associated Chambers of- Commerce, which deserves careful consideration by Parliament. Their suggestions are useful in several respects/and in some of them would greatly increase efficiency, if adopted. I am, however, particularly anxious that the principles of Liberalism, as enunciated by the men who founded it in New Zealand, and who made New Zealand prosperous, should neither be abandoned nor lost. They were: Democratic control with efficiency.- The railways paid for several years, and began to lose with political interference, which meant (and still means) a tremendous lack of efficiency. That inefficiency constitutes a grave reflection on democratic government, and spells weakness instead of strength. The Associated Chambers of Commerce know that very well, and their reference to it in the second paragraph of thenarticle is correct. Every business man in Wellington to whom I have spoken knows it, and speaks of it in terms of strong disapproval. Now we want efficiency and strong, competent, and absolute efficiency (pardon the redundancy), and an end of the weakness and incompetence which came from political interference, and which has cost the country millions. In the hope of saving Liberalism, like the Chambers of Commerce, I respectfully suggest to the Government:— 1. A board of three—five is too cumbrous —with the General Manager of Railways as chnirmau of- directors.2. .6500 is quite plenty for the other two directors. They would only require to meet once a fortnight, and £20 for two or three hours is surely adequate. In suggesting the General Manager as chairman, 1 do so because we require one of outstanding ability, training, and practical

knowledge, and these the General Manager possesses, as no one else in New Zealand docs. 3. The board of directors should be instructed to act always on the principle that the good ot: the community is paramount to that of individuals, and this principle should be extended to road transport as well. These three suggestions mean democracy and efficiency, and every business man with whom I discussed the matter agrees with mo. These, along with some from the Chambers of Commerce, if adopted, would make a good Bill. —I am, etc., WM.' THOMSON, • Editor "The New Zealander." 21st April.