A PROPOSAL WORTHY OF ADOPTION.

Southland Times, Issue 19460, 27 January 1925, Page 7

A PROPOSAL WORTHY OF ADOPTION.

To the Editor. I Sir, —Now that the New Zealand rail- ' ways are being reconstructed, there is one I important matter that I think ought not to jbe overlooked. As one who has resided j close beside the railway line for many years, I I could not help noticing the scant con- • sideration given to the men who guard I and keep in perfect order and safety the permanent way. I can testify that they are hard-working conscientious men who give an honest day’s work for not very high pay, and what surprised me is to see these men working their labourious way home eight or nine miles, often against a heavy head wind on a heavy trolley manipulated by man-power, taking anything from one to two hours according to weather conditions to reach their homes, after a hard day’s work, and, to make matters worse, I understand that most of this has to be done in their own time. I also notice an inspector, sometimes two together, travelling up and down the line, but not on a man-power trolley. No, Sir, they are provided with a motor-driven machine and they do no manual labour at all. It is my opinion that any efficiently managed railway System ought to be able to afford enough petrol to take its line guardians to and from their work. And I also think it would have a tendency to greater efficiency. I am, etc., “FAIRPLAY.” Lochiel, January 26.