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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 71

From Hon. W. H. Reynolds, M.L.C., Dunedin

From Hon. W. H. Reynolds, M.L.C., Dunedin.

On the 15th ult. I wrote a letter to the Christchurch Press' which appeared in its issue of the 25th ult. As I think it will fully supply the request contained in your circular of the 15th inst. I herewith beg to hand you a copy It ran thus:—"To the Editor of the 'Press.' Sir. In reply to your request for an opinion re Railway Management I am most decidedly in favour of the management of our Railways being under a non-political board, the members of which should hold office under conditions similar to those connected with our Supreme Court judges, and should only be removable by a direct vote of a majority of both Houses of Parliament. "So long as the affairs or the colony are administered by a Government holding office under our present system" of party government I am most decidedly of opinion "that the Railway management, if placed under the Ministry of the day, would be subordinated to political purposes which would tend to be detrimental to their working, and to the public. I have known of several cases where the Minister of Public Works of the day has been applied to by useless individuals for employment under the Government, and they received letters to the Railway Department which were tantamount to an order to engage them. It must be clear to anyone that if the employes on our Railways are to be appointed by a Government or Minister on tie recommendation of a friend, or to secure Government or the Minister's individual support, without regard to their page 30 qualifications, the travelling public's life would be in jeopardy. If our Ministers were chosen for their administrative ability and integrity instead of as at present for their talking powers, or the number of votes they could bring to secure the formation of a Government and retention in office, then it might be a question whether some modifications might not be advantageously made so as to give the Government a more direct control over the management of our Railways.

In answer to your second question. I feel confident that so long as party government exists it is not advisable to have a Minister on any railway board whatever, as he might desire to take advantage of his position for party purposes, and cause continual wrangling, and destroy the harmony which should exist on such a board.

To your third question I would simply say that upon the whole I think our Railways are at present managed to the satisfaction and safety of the general public."