CONTROL OF RAILWAYS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 24 October 1930, Page 9

CONTROL OF RAILWAYS

POLITICAL BIAS OPPOSED SHELVING OF REPORT OBJECTION BY CONFERENCE. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) HERMITAGE, Oct. 24. There was a lengthy debate at the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce last night on the following remit moved by Mr. H. C. Merritt (Auckland): “That this conference views with alarm the serious increase in the burden of the railways on the Consolidated Fund, which increase will certainly still furtner be accentuated with the completion of lines now under construction, nearly all of which should never have been started, and urges , that, if the many difficulties facing the | New Zealand railways are to be solved, the whole matter of railway construction and operation be divorced from political control and interference and placed under the commission of a board of directors.” Speaking to the remit Mr. Merritt said there was a loss on the year’s working of the railways of £1,250.000, plus an estimated loss on lines under construction. There was me question of management. It might surprise delegates to know that the general manager had not etn fie power lo discharge the i.- onnost of his servants and his management had not ha.l a tandeal. The report of the Railway Commission had been tabl-ri in the It case and talked out by Parliament, which meant that it would he shelved Jor another 12 uouchs. A voice: Shame. Mr. A. G, Du del (Auckland) seconded the motion. He said that some years ago a commerce train tour was arranged in the North Island! and that ,vas’ the beginning of the agitation to remove the railways from political control. If a. hoard was set- up: it should Na n f business men and economists. iere had been £67,000,000 sunk in the railways and their worth was not more than £34.000.000. Mr. A. Seed (Wellington) asked it the remit suggested the taking out of mfiitieal control the question as to where lines shall he constructed. The president gave an affirmative reply. . ... Mr. H. Tolley (Feilding) said! he did •lot think a. hoard could be found in Yew Zealand! which would be free from nolitical hiais. For many years they bad tried to run the wretched railways (laughter) and anyone who reviewed the history of the railways for be last 40 years must agree it had been a succession of mismanagement, •i England', there were the most efficient railways in the world and they were privately owned. He moved as an aiiieiidment- t>nat> it be suggested to the Government to offer the railways for straight out- sule. A voice : At what price ? Mr Tolley: It could he fixed up by arrangement if any offer was forthcoming. Continuing, he suggested as an alternative that the railways should be leased: for a term of 21 years with the right of purchase. There was no seconder for the amendment.

Mr A. O'. Cameron (Dunedin) suggsted that in view of information received the following resolution he substituted for the remit: “That in view of information just received that the report of the Railway Commissioner has been talked out by parliament, this conference expresses its profound concern at the attitude taken ana urges the Government to: give effect to the report of the commission at the earliest -possible moment and that- the commission or board should not be of a political character. The resolution was adopted.