RAILWAY DEPARTMENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14848, 27 February 1919, Page 3

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT.

STRONG CRITICISM. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. The Railway Department was strongly criticised to-day by Mr. Robert Burns, chairman of the. Chamber of Commerce, who said : >'For some reason during the whole of the war period the high command/ of the railway service have considered themselves beyond criticism. They have resented any suggestions,, and vbave regarded any criticism or' complaints as an indication that the person criticising or complaining wa3 pro-German, and did not desire to *win the war. They seem to have failed entirely to grasp the fact that the Railway Department is one of the public services of New Zealand, and that the owners of this service are perfectly justified m making suggestions, offering criticism, and condemning mistakes. The position of the high command of the railway service at the present moment is .such, a hopeless one that I do not think it can continue much longer. Right throughout the country there is a very strong feeling that alterations will have to be niade, and' I think now that peace is within I sight and Parliamentary criticism will be available, that there must be some alteration. I would recommend strongly that the incoming council should give the matter of the maladministration of railway affairs very serious attention. It seems to me that the present method of selection 'for the highest position m the service is a very doubtful one, and is not likely to obtain the best results."