THE TRAIN SERVICES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16505, 5 August 1919, Page 2

THE TRAIN SERVICES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Being recently informed that the reason for the coal shortage and consequent drastic curtailment of train services was that, though plenty of coal was available and though the miners were not exacting in. their demands, yet the Government, acting in sheer disregard of the wishes of the people, opposed the miners, to the end that the people, dissatisfied with iho present multitudinous discontents, would blame them, I was naturally deeply perturbed. For though this may seem a scheme far above the average Government intelligence there may still be some grain of truth in the matter. Wherefore 1 would bo exceedingly glad if any correspondent could give sure information on the matter, as I find it almost incredible that a Government, having, without the slightest shade of doubt, nothing but the welfare of the people at heart should have recourse to such measures. ’though I have of late heard our excellent Government much blamed, still, nearly all the charges of general inefficiency, culpable neglect, and wilful opposition to the desires of the people of a democratic country are but malignant libels on our well-mean-ing but ill-understood politicians. .But* it would seem evident that in the most unlikely event that any of these accusations were at all true, a Government, feeling the lack of support, not to say discontent of the people, would straightway resign, lest a worse fate should befall it. But as our Government shows no inclination to adopt such a course, surely these accusations are then groundless and are but slanders on its benevolent intentions? I am', VOX rOPULI, VOX DEI.

[The statement made by Air. ATV illy, general manager of the railvaxs. in reply to Air. Semple, ns to the stocks of coal available, must be accepted as correct. That being so there is no reason to look further for the curtailment of services. iho trains cannot be run without coal.—Ed T.H.]