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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 75

Personal

Personal.

Once more I appeal to the Members of Parliament and my fellow-citizens not to allow the Stage System to be destroyed by any pretended "improvements" by the Railway Department.

For now 16 years I have earnestly striven to effect a reformation in our transit system. I have given the best years of my life to it, have carried on the contest at my own cost—not a small sum—and I think I might reasonably expect in return that an opportunity would be afforded me of trying the new system while I have the working power to look after it. What the department wishes is to see me out of the way, and they know that then they could speedily destroy distinctive features of the Stage System and perpetuate the present vicious condition of things.

One of the objections urged to according the Stage System a trial is that it would be dangerous to the country to give me control over a small section of our railways.

If this is so, may I ask why a gentleman who never pretended to have the slightest knowledge of either railway policy or working was made Chief Commissioner of the whole of our railways, with irresponsible power to deal with them just exactly as he pleased, and also power to over-ride his fellow Commissioners.

Mr. J. P. Maxwell, too, when he was appointed General Manager, on his own showing, had never had a day's training to qualify him for his post. (See Parliamentary Paper, I.—IX., 1886, Questions and Answers, 617 to 620.)