The Hastings Standard Published Daily MONDAY, DEC. 6, 1897. OUR RAILWAYS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 494, 6 December 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily

MONDAY, DEC. 6, 1897. OUR RAILWAYS.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

Onk of the grossest pieces of injustice that has been inflicted upon the public, or civil servants of New Zealand, is that which requires the classification of railway officials. The effect of this classification has been not only to destroy ambition, but to encourage officers of the railway to do as little as possible for their money. It is very well to that classification is the only means of preventing political patronage and of securing to senior officials their just reward. It is too true that in the past political influence has been used for the purpose of securing promotion in the Railway Department. Scores of cases have been brought under publie notice in which young and inexperienced men have b'een hoisted into positions of responsibility through back-stair, or political influence. But the classification scheme introduced by the Government does not remedy this evil. It is, in reality, only a bastard classification. That is to say, officers are classified, not according to length of service or meritorious conduct, but accwUag to pay. It can readiy be

seen, therefore, that the way is still open for political patronage. Moreover, those who have secured promotion through political influence in the past are to be permanently the seniors of those over whom they have been promoted. Is this right and proper ? Is it fair that old and tried officials should be set aside for those whose only claim to promotion is political subservience? The system of classification introduced will destroy every bit of ambition in railway officials, will induce slovenliness and want of discipline, and bring about a state of things which the colony will live to rue. All discipline and energy will be destroyed, for men will not care so long as they do not commit any serious offence against the regulations. There will be no encouragement to those who, by devotion and skill, strive to merit promotion, for the careless official will be as much entitled to promotion as they. The whole system is calculated to disorganise the service and wreck the career of old and useful public officers.