RAILWAY REFORM LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9461, 4 September 1889, Page 6

RAILWAY REFORM LEAGUE.

A MEETtNO of gentlemen interested in tho formation of a Railway Reform League waa hold yesterday afternoon afc tho rooms of tho Chamber of Commerce. Capt. W. 0. Daldy was called to tho chair. Thero wero present—Messrs. S. Veilo, I*. D. Nathan, J. Newman, Whitehead, R. Cmneron, R. R. Hunt (Auckland Roller Mills), H. Green, J. P. King, James Russell, F. D. Rich, W. Thorne, Jesso King (King, Walker and Co.), J- Friar Clarke, A. 8011, Cranwoll (Garlick and Cranwcll), Adams, D. G. MacDonuell, Tbornos, R. W. Moody, Gorrio (Bucklar.d and Sons), and Hawko (Pukokohe.) Tho Citaj&man eaid he was glad to be present, and to assist in this movement of railway reform. No loss than 6S gentlemen had signed the requisition in favourof forming: the loague. They were not met there that afternoon to discuss the question of reform generally, but to arrange for the formation of tho league, and of framing its constitution.

Mr, A. BiOA, moved the following resolution :—" That a railway reform league bo formed having for ivti object, an alteration in the system of administering the railways of the colony, such alteration to embrace the following point.*, as far as possible: (a) The total abolition of differential rating ; (b) the abolition of milcngo rating and tho substitution of a stage system ; (c) tho stage system adopted must be of such a nature as to give special facilities to districts and settlers far removed from a market; (d) a reduction in the charge for the conveyance of passenger* and upods ; {(.) & simplification in tho classification of goods; (0 a simplification and amalgamation of terminal, weighing, crun:ige, and other charges." He would not moke many remarks, as tho meeting was simply preliminury. They were indebted to Mr. Vaile for his efforts to improve the railway system of administration, and to ameliorate the condition of the country sottlers in relation to it. (Hear, bear.) Ho had been a good deal up and down the Wuikato lines ; and, t-hougb. not an expert, ho thought a differential rAtin;; a grout abuse. The oflicers at a station should have power to let a truck at a giren rate, "and permit tho settlers to combine and fill it up with thoir produce in whatever way they like-.!. A Fruit Association was about to be formed, and it remained to be seen whother it could live by the rates charged for fruit. During the coming summer Waikato would be able to serxl n good deal of that class of produce. Ono ffentleniau tjakl if he could get the bot-tlcrt be would be prepared to take nil the gooseberries which could be grown in the province, and export them. He was glad the chairman wiw taking an interest in this movement, 03 ho was a clear-headed, practical man. Railway revenue was a question of population, and if they could get people to go out on the hind the railway receipts would be increased and taxation lessened. From Mr. Voile's published letters the stage system in Germany appeared to be a success, and it, would be well to give it a trial here. The system udopted in the colony for l."> years past hrul not answered, and t-hfty should nave a change. Ho had groat pleasure in moving the resolution. Mr. F. D. Rich seconded the resolution. He lived at the end of the railway system Rotoruawnrds, and therefore knew the pinch If others had felt that pinch they would cake a livelier interest in railway management than they did. The lands iii the Thames Valley, more especially the Upper Thames, and ail the lands in thut direction within 150 miles of Auckland would not be settled by the present railway torn. It was uot to much a question of administration a.4 of alteration in the kind. These lands would remain untilled for mnny years, until a radical change took place both in fares and freight. The settlerd had to pay £7 a truck on various classes of goods, and high rates on fencing wire, for instancy, eo necessary to settlers. Valuing the land at £1 per aero, there were seven acres gone. at once. Parcels of a few pounds cost 'in. The land, he repeated, would never bo settled by the present railway system, and they would never have prosperity in Auckland till it was settled. By the stage system, the out-dis-tricts would have a fair chance of competing with the farmers who were privileged to live near the large markets. All the settlers in his district were agreed that the rates were prohibitory. They did not come to town, and did not send their produce down. If the settlers were unanimous, they could get their representations listened to and considered. The Chief Commissioner (Mr. McKerrosv) was a practical man, and, he believed, was desiroiin, ne far as possible, to moot, the wishes of the public. The resolution was carried unanimously.

The Chairman : They rarely now saw a train full. Tho trains might, a* well be run full for half tho money, as Imlf-empty for the whole money. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Jambs Russku. moved, "That any person subscribing nob less than 5s shall bo entitled to become a member of the League." He hoped tiiat the zeal now manifested for reform would continue. He trusted that the country settlers would form branches of the League, and co-ope-rate with the townspeople. Mr. H. Grkhk seconded the resolution. The railway system was a preab: factor for weal or woe in tho province of Auckland. Unless they could get the country Linda settled, Auckland would be in the dumps for many a long day to come. Mr. Tiiok.n'Ess asked if the subscription wa« an annual one.

The Chairman said he hojxjd that before ii second subscription wns needed, the concetwiofK) required would be granted. The wentlemen who hud signed the requisition hud subscribed £50 amongst them. The resolution was then put and carried. Mr. J. P. KiN'iJ moved the following resolution :—" That tho affairs and funds of the League shall be, administered by a jjeneral committee of nob less than twenty members, to meet not less, than once a month, with power to add to their number, ten to form a quorum ; also with power to choose an executive committee of five, three to form a quorum ; tho committee to appoint their own officers." He said that the railway management of this colony discrusted viwitora, and irritated onr own people. The railways wore cursed with ofiicialiHin. There was the case of Dr. Mackellnr, and the exorbitant charge for a special train. In his own experience, he pay that ho hud to give his bond fur £70 for a special train to WaiLato. There was a delay of two hours in getting the t-rnin ready, and % teletjratii arrived meanwhile stating that tho lady was a little better, and the order was countermanded. Twenty-five pounds ousrht to bo ample in such a case. He would like to see the railways sold to an English syndicate —(" No ! no !") —and the money taken to clear off part of our debt. A private company would manage mutters much better.

Mr. Moody seconded the resolution. He could say a good deal about railway management, but as lie was .suffering from a severe cold lie would refrain.

The resolution was pub and carried. The following committee wad then elecUxl: — Dr. Campbell, Captain Daldy, Meaare. L. D. Nathan, F. D. Rich, A. Bell, C. J. Hutchinson, James Russell, Cranwcll, A. H. Nathan, Fisher (Fisher and Co.), Jesse King (King, Walker, aud Cα), C. C. McMillan (McArbhur and Co.), R. W. Moody, Every Maclean, John Reid, Mucky (Mucky, Logan, Stein, and Co.), L). G. MacDonnell, Duncan, Oliver Mays, F. G. Ewington, Esam (Hurst and Co.), W. Gorrie, E. W. Burton, W. McCtillough, D. B. Cruickshank, J. Phillipps (W. Phillippa and Sou), R. R. Hunb (Auckland Roller Mills), S. Vaile, R. Luishley, A. Bull, It. Cameron, George Rhodes, James Knox, James Adams, Hawke (Pukekohe), and Colonel Burton.

It was decided to issue circulars convening the committee to meet on Thursday (to-morrow) at three o'clock, at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, to elect officers and an executive committee. Tho Chairman said the committee could be enlarged by the addition of any gentlemen suitable from the now members. There was no reason why the committee should not be oO strong and have corresponding branches not only in the country aistricts bub in the Southern provinces. The meeting then terminated.

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