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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 71

From John L. Gillies, Secretary to Harbour Board, Dunedin

page 28

From John L. Gillies, Secretary to Harbour Board, Dunedin.

In reply to your circular of 15th April, 1893, my opinion is that, the good working of either the old system or the new depends more on the qualifications of the persons having the control than on the systems. Thus under the old, with weak men, or men of but little grasp of general business, or want of knowledge of the best methods of control at the head of affairs, official heads were not kept in their proper place not properly up to their work, and so really became the power above the throne, and as a rule it was through them that political influence was worked and held too much sway. In fact, so gross had this become that it became a common saying—"Oh, you make it right with Mr So-and-so, and leave him to manage the Minister."

In reference to the present system, the selection of the Commissioners was such that, without reflecting on their undoubted personal abilities, I cannot help thinking it was a mistake in judgment to appoint all Government departmental officers, as they naturally carried with them the traditions of their officialdom into their new positions, and which has been markedly pronounced in the performance of their duties as Commissioners. Of course I recognise the necessity of one of the Commissioners being a railway expert, the others' qualifications for say organising and mercantile divisions of the service, required experience and faculties of a different kind.

I feel a delicacy in entering into any close criticism of the subject in support of my opinions, but will confine myself to simply further saying that if the Railways were worked more with a purpose to meet the requirements and development of the country, than competing with private enterprise where requirements are already provided for, a much greater benefit would accrue to the public generally.

Studying all aspects of the question, and a great deal can be said pro and con for both. I am inclined to the opinion that the active management of the Railways is best in the hands of Commissioners, having speciality for different divisions of the service, but that the Minister of Works should have the right of a seat at the Hoard with the privilege of vote and of protest, but not veto. One of the Commissioners should be chairman to avoid the risk of frequent changes.