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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 36, 31 December 1878, Page 2

The Government have determined to call in all the free railway passes in the colony, except those hold by n. em hers of the (ieneral Assembly. Tho pass sy.-tem has no doubt been greatly abused iti different parts of the Colony. At th>'*same time, ie appears to us that to abolish free passes because they are abused, will prove bo h inexpedient and falsely economical. Upon what grounds M.G. A.'s are to be allowed to retain their passes, it would be difficult to imagine. Many of them devote absolutely no time to public business during tho recess, whilst others travel upon piiva'e business, or pleasure, or both. To give them a pass upon all the railways in the Colony is therefore, we think, a positive waste of money. The spectacle of the lion, member for Greymouth travelling as a grain buyer upon the Canterbury railways with a General Assembly pass, w = i s neither dignified nor just. Many similar casts might arise 'ihe passes hitherto granted to the newsapers ar« to be taken also, we undaistand. This is a falss policy. When Mr ■Richardson was Minister for Public Works, he saw the necessity of every publicity being given to the railway time tubles, and he therefore proposed to the newspapers of the Colony, that free passes should be given, ami tho newspapers be forwarded per ti.-iin gratis, on condition that the time tables were perpetually published. The arrangement was thus mutually advantageous, without pecuniary loss to either. We know the Press -pusses have btwn abused. Deb' collectors and canvassers have tra-. veiled as reporters and editors, but we think the railway authorities' are to blame for allowing tl^s. The passes should be made out for (he in dividual who is to travel, and in his name. This would certainly remove a great deal of the abuse complained of. As it is, if the eiltoi-s and reporters are required to pay for their tickets, so also will the railway line be compelled to pay f)t the advertising of the time tables, and we are sure the balance will be found, at the ond of tho year, upon tho wrong side, so far as tho Government revenue is concerned. In addition to this, there will be tho inconvenience to the public, and loss to the lines, through the great body of tho people not knowing the hours of departure for the trains Now, every news* paper contains the information. The present arrangement is mutually advantageous, and wo hope will be continued. W e >liink, however, tho Government should guard the system of free passes against abuse, by granting thorn to those only who are actually on tho literary ttaff. Tho object of tho Press is, to disseminate as early as possible all the information obtainable, and in this tho Government should assist, especially considering they have hitherto roceived a quid pro quo.