With this article Mr. Bowden begins the new series of special articles (from the viewpoint of business men, manufacturers, and others), which will appear regularly in the Railways Magazine.

Business men is general will appreciate the innovation of the “Co-operation Page” in the Railway Magazine, as affording an opportunity of free expression of opinion on the service provided by the N. Z. R. At the outset I desire to acknowledge the compliment of the invitation to contribute the first article, and look forward with interest to reading other contributions from commercial men well qualified to write on various matter affecting the transport of the Dominion's produce and imports. This page in successive months will be the clearing house of commercial opinion. In it there will be no mere dogma-no expression of views which cannot be supported by reasoned argument, and need it be said that naught will be set down in malice? Doubtless some of the suggestions made in successive issues will be controverted by other writers. So much the better. In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom, and the voices of critics may indicate the royal road.

To criticise the Department is not the purpose of this article. One appreciates the work of its officers, and recognises the improvements introduced by them of late years. But the onlooker sees most of the game, and sometimes his views are of interest!