RAILWAY OFFICIALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2606, 12 May 1869, Page 2

RAILWAY OFFICIALS.

TO THE EDITOR OF TH* LYTTELTON TOMS. Sib,—Will you allow me space to refer to your leader of yesterday, and, without commenting on its general tenor, to draw your attention to a paragraph, which I am sun on consideration you will at least qualify. After speaking of the difficult task of tbs Government “ in taking over the railway ats short notice ” yon,continue “ That the difficulty has been increased by their being forced to employ the staff of the late contractors, who naturally lean towards their former employers.” There was no forcing about the matter ; if the Government could have obtained better servants, they would doubtless have done so ; it was thought advisable to make use of the experience gained in the previous service, and as the Government hare made no complaint, but on the contrary, appear to be well satisfied with the working staff, it is at least unjust, and altogether uncalled for, to assert that “ they naturally lean towards their former employers.” Tour obedient servant, GUI BONO. May 11. [Our correspondent does not appear to see that we were giving expression, not to our own opinions, but to those entertained by me supporters of the Government. From this point of view we have nothing to qualify. We have reason to believe that the Government would have cleared off the whole of Messrs Holmes’ staff if they could hate done so. Not oeing able to do this, they were forced to keep them on. As to the leaning part of the business, we know that the Government believes that there is 1 natural leaning on the part of the staff to their old employers. We do not say that there is, but if there is, we do not think those who have been well treated by their former employers have any cause to be ashamed ot feeling grateful for it.— Ed. L.T.]