“THE VAILE STAGE SYSTEM.”

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2548, 28 June 1895, Page 3

“THE VAILE STAGE SYSTEM.”

There was a comparatively small attendance at tho meeting of the Citizens’ Institute last night, when Mr J. P. Campbell read his paper on “The Vaile Stage System.” The chair was taken by Mr D. M. Luokio.

Mr Campbell gave a very lucid explanation of Mr Vaile’s proposals, under which ho contended that tho average railway fare would be about half what it is at present, whilst the number travelling would be considerably more than doubled, and the railway revenue therefore considerably increased. By largely decreasing the charges for long distances as compared with those for short distances, he argued, a great impetus would bo given to the settlement of the land, tho growth of inland towns of moderate population, and of manufactures and productive industry in the interior, whilst the congestion of the large centres would bo relieved. He quoted figures to show that the working of a similar system known as the “ Zone System ” on the Hungarian railways had been a great success. Experts, he admitted, differed as to the practicability of Mr Vaile’s proposals for New Zealand, but he contended that a case had at all events been shown for a trial of the system on some portion of the New Zealand railways. He cited an opinion to that effect expressed by the Minister for Public Works (the present Premier) in the Public Works Statement for 1892. Mr Campbell expressed a hope that now that tho railways were in the hands of a Minister, this opinion would be given effect to, and that the necessary authority would be obtained during the present session. The Hon T. W. Hislnp, who was amongst the speakers who followed Mr Campbell, criticised tho proposals at some length, expressing an opinion generally unfavourable to them, though he was open to conviction on the subject. The proceedings terminated with votes of thanks to the lecturer and to the chairman.