STATE TRANSPORT MONOPOLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23021, 26 April 1938, Page 10

STATE TRANSPORT MONOPOLY

To widen and cheapen transport services as far as is humanly possible is the desire of the Government, according to Mr. G. H. Mackley, general manager of railways. The occasion of his remark was the taking over by the Railways Department of what was described as the largest road freight service in the Dominion. Mr. Mackley was seeking to justify "the Government's policy in taking over all those motor transport services which are in competition with the railways." Incidentally the public are indebted to railway officers, and not to Cabinet Min-

isters, for several direct statements that such is the Government's policy. Should the public conclude that the civil servants are responsible for the policy and are directing their masters, the Government? As for "widening and cheapening" transport service, the desire is commendable, but wishes are not horses. The public is sceptical as to the prospects of improved and cheaper service under a huge State monopoly. Certainly they did not get it in the days before road transport, when the railways enjoyed a virtual monopoly. "Take it or leave it" was the railways' working rule then. It was the developing competition of motor transport that forced the department to offer better service. Now that competition is being bought out. If it is merely intended to continue present road cervices parallel with the railways, it is difficult to discover how transport is to be widened and cheapened. The private services have beei. purchased at an undisclosed cost and the charges must bo met. "What economies will State operation bring? Mr. Mackley would be more convincing if he were more explicit. Actually the finances of the railways offer a fail indication that before very long fares and freights will have to be raised. Perhaps that is the real reason why the department is rapidly buying out competitive | services*,