RAILWAY MEETING AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9140, 23 August 1888, Page 3

RAILWAY MEETING AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TO THK EDITOR.

Sir, —I am one who thoroughly believes in the influence of the public press to direct opinion, and therefore consider ifc a legitimate subject for congratulation that, owing in a great measure to the action taken by the New Zealand Herald, the Chamber of Commerce-has convened a meeting to "consider the proposition made by Air. Vaile and others to the Government for leasing a portion of the railways of the colony." Unquestionably there is no subject of such pressing, and vast importance to this city and the provincial district, as that the present wretched, mismanaged, and ruinous system should be altered at once. The lines have hitherto been so worked as actually to raise effectual obstacles to settlement, and prevent communication between town and country and vice versa, whilst increasing losses in the working of the lines every ye-ar is the glorious result. Surely, surely, the time has arrived at lasb for the merchants, the tradesmen, and every class of men in Auckland, as well as settlers in the country, to arouse themselves and to let the men now in temporary power in. Wellington know that, so far aa they are concerned, their gross incompetency as respects the railways ought to be continued no longer. It is not a question of party, or of confidence in certain individuals who are honoured by being called responsible Ministers. No doubt the great bulk of the people have lost confidence in our present system of government, and the sooner not only the railway management is managed more in accordance with common sense and ordinary business principles the better. Hundreds of men who can find money to pay their fares to Australia are deserting New Zealand as fast as they can be carried away. The last brilliant stroke of genius of Messrs. Maxwell and Co. is that of lessening the number of trains, and the days on which they are to run. Most unfortunately, Mr. Edwin Mitchelson, although an Auckland settler, happens to be Minister for Public Works, and ought to know better, acta precisely as his predecessor did, by adopfcting and endorsing every proposal made by the irresponsible chief, Mr. Maxwell, ffe makes one, when reflecting on these things, entertain a thorough contempt for our existing torm of Government in New Zealand, and to regard this part of our administrative machinery as perfectly in keeping with the disgraceful mismanagement of our finances, and the shameful extravagant expenditure which thepresent sessson of Parliament seems disposed to increase rather than to curtail. I trust that there will be a very large attendance of mem bers—unfortunately I am not one of them, and cannot attend. But I fervently hope that the Chamber of Commerce will speak out clearly and unmistakably ; and further, that such resolutions will be adopted that they will be supported by the public, both in Auckland and the country districts generally.—l am, &c, An Old Colonist.