From Thomas Meek. Miller. Oamaru.

In reply to your circular of 15th inst., asking my opinion re the future Management of our State Railways, I beg to say that I am most strongly of opinion that they should be managed by a non-political board, as we know from past experience that while our Railways were under the direct control of a Minister of the Crown, numerous unsuitable appointments were made, which had the effect of increasing the working expenses and impairing the efficiency of the service; and also large sums of money were expended on useless works to please and thus secure the influence of electors; and such a state of affairs would immediately return if a Minister had again the power of granting favours to the numerous applicants, as Ministers, however good they may be, arc only human. And further, the position of Minister of Public Works, like other Ministers, is a rolling one, and it is impossible for anyone holding such office to be able to deal properly with all matters in connection with our Railways unless he has had a special training to that class of work, and we have no such person in politics in New Zealand at present. When the present Commissioners were appointed I felt sure a great mistake was made, as all will remember that the management previous to that time was most unsatisfactory, and those appointed could not be expected to introduce any great or improved methods of conducting the working of the lines, as it was only a continuance of the previous management, and I feel convinced that any private individual dealing with such a large and important matter would have appointed a thorough expert, with outside experience, and had that been done. I feel sure our Railways would have been paying better and giving greater satisfaction to the public. I am also of opinion that the power placed in the hands of the present Commissioners is too great as it admits of no appeal, which is very unjust to those using the Railways as in the event of page 23 any dispute they have to abide by the arbitrary decision of the Commissioners, no matter how unjust that decision may be. To obviate this I would suggest that a board of advice should be appointed, to whom all important matters and disputes could be referred for equitable adjustment, such board to be composed of three rood business men and the Minister of Public Works for the time being. This would, in my opinion, prevent any injustice being done to those using the Railways, and act as a safeguard to the public.