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Star (Christchurch), Issue 5049, 9 July 1884, Page 2

A most important commentary on the> mismanagement of the New Zealand Kailways has been issued by the Committee of delegates appointed at the end of March, as the outcome of the public meeting held in the Tuam street Hall. The work of the Committee appears to have been systematic and thorough, the report embodying in a compact form all the salient features which have from time to time been commented upon. The shamefully imposed grain tax is of course prominently "referred to ; and —as intimately connected therewith —special attention is drawn to » the fact that "it-has not been a very unusual occurrence to see concessions in rates in particular districts bartered in exchange for political support." It is not necessary, even if it were expedient —to give specific illustrations of the working of the system by which political longevity has been bought. At the present time this railway question is put before the electors on broad general principles. They have the power to decide —as they are urged to do—whether it is politic to suffer the continuance of such a state of things; whether any Government ought to have the power to use one of the greatest factors in the commercial progress of the Colony for the basest purposes ? From every thoughtful individual an emphatic answer in the negative comes spontaneously. But this individual condemnation is per se utterly useless. The evils of the system are widely recognised. " The only apparent remedy for these evils," says the report under notice, " is to place the management of the railways under separate non-political Boards in each island; and it is respectfully suggested that the electors should see that candidates are prepared to advocate the adoption of this remedy as soon as possible." The electors are asked to contend for a broad principle involving issues of the utmost importance. They are asked to remove an autocratic power from the hands of any Government that may be uncrupulous enough to use it, —as the Atkinson Ministry has been. They are asked therewith to secure the use of the railways for their legitimate purposes, namely, the better settlement of the country, and the development of industries, which, under existing circumstances, are being crushed out of existence. The absolute necessity is this: that from every election candidate must be exacted a distinctly worded and unconditional pledge that the candidate will loyally and energetically strive to secure a system of non-political railway management.