VAILE'S RAILWAY SYSTEM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2796, 14 June 1890, Page 2

VAILE'S RAILWAY SYSTEM.

At tlm monthly meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce held on Thursday, the report of the Kailway Committee %vi>s, that the recommendations of tho Railway Committee appointed by Government in ISoiJ bo carried out. My S. Vaile moved, "That in the opinion of this Chamber, Parliament should at once order a trial of the stage system, which the committee ot ISSU investigated and reported upon, and think the trial should be made im the Auckland railways, or some section of not less extent, as per sections 1, 2, and 3 of report, that is to say, without any guarantee." Mr Vaile read the report ot the Parliamentary Committee and said it was needless to say more than one clause introduced into it stultified the rest. He. mid that in the colony, as throughout the world, tho desire was for simplification, and cheapwinp the railway tariffs, but the Railway Commissioners when appealed to added 10 pages of complications to their already voluminous list. This was an instance: A man at Papakura sent a load of stayes to -Auckland and was charged .£ I 5s Id, but on making representations thi* reduced to £2, and on the next occasion when he sent a larger number he was charged the lower rate. Mr Vaile held that it was impossible for legislation to deal with the matter. He had not time then to deal with the goods tariff, but he pointed out to them that the valine was leaving real estate, and what then, he asked, was to become of their life policies and other securities? That problem was worked out in the pamphlets which were on the table. The next problem was how it was to be worked, and he submitted a printed statement of what the Government accountant said would be the financial result of adopting his (Mr Vale's) system of railway charges, and Mr Vaile s comments on it (published in sheet form by the Railway Reform League). Mr Vaile then proceeded to demonstrate how the value was taken out of country lauds by the cost of transit, and he elaborated the average of fares, showing that according to his system a person could travel twice instead of once, and still bo money in pocket; and after further explanation of the stage system was illustrated on a diagram, he moved the resolution.— Captain Daldy said ho would briefly second the motion. So much had been written on this subject that they all were or should be familiar with it, but they must all feol surprise that in this country, in which local self-government existed, any body of men should have the power to impose taxes such as were imposed by the Railway Commissioners. Another question for theu , consideration was this : The new system was being introduced into other countries and inquired into by Germany, that uatiou having recently sent for information as to the system. There was one matter Mr Vaile had omitted to mention, and that was that his system would disperse populatton through the country. The Hungarian xone system had a contrary effect, but there people could obtain tickets at the tobacconist'), shops, while here they had to crush into a narrow space to obtain tickets. They ought to have a system which would be understood by all. It was a great reform, and it was a question whether New Zealand would be last or first in it. Tho motion was put and carried.—Mr A. Bell moved, " That this Chambor ask the other Chambers of Commerce throughout the colony to co-operate with them on this question c»f obtaining railway reform." He considered that Mr Vaile should bo allowed to appear at the House to explain tho project, and he hoped tho country would support the resolution. The motion was agreed to,