GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 250, 22 November 1929, Page 8

GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

"HOMINIS EST ERRARE."

(To the Editor.) Sir, — The letter by "Observers," in your iss'ue of the 20th inst., is a fair specimen of the propaganda which is being conducted tliroughout New Zealand in the interests of sacred private profit. Critics of eommunity services seemingly look for perfection tlierein, ignoring the fact that Government and municipal enterprises have to be worked with human beings no more immiuie from human weaknesses and deficiencies tlian their self-righteous critics. "A lady in Wellington says the bus drivers were far more obliging when controlled by private enterprise." Twaddle such as this is seriouslv advanced as an i».rguinent for handing the railways and other Government activities over to the tender mercies of private profit. Few people have travelled more extensively through New Zealand by its nationaJ railways than rayself, vet I cannotrecall one single iiistance ,of incivility from the railway staff. I can say the same of the post and telegraph employees ; in both services many have often gone out of tlieir way to lielp and advise me. This courtesy ancr willingness to assist" the public are, to niv mind. remarkable when one realises by experience liow much stupidity, unreasonableness and snobbery the men in tliese departments have to put up with on every working day of their lives. I claim to be an "Observer" also, and niy long experience of the travelling public forces me to admit that a not inconsiderable propoition deserves neither politness nor service. What is wrong with our post and telegraph service? How many letters liave your correspondents lost," through its agency, during the whole of tlieir business life? Have tliey ever given a thought to the service we receive for our penny or lialfpenny stamp, even when our calligraphy on envelope or wrapper would confound a handwriting expert? And what real, honest critieism can tlie' pass on the New Zealand Raihvays? Before they repeat their parrot-Jike propaganda, let them remember that New Zealand is a young country with a small population, ancl a surface pfesenting enormous difficulties in railwav construction and upkeep. In spite of these liandicaps what are the real facts of our railway service? It is immeasurably safer than any otlier mode of travel yet available; considering the limitations of population and liational revenue, it is fairly comfortable — no reasonable person can expecb the luxuriously fitted carriages of the Home railways. It is more comfortable than travelling in a crowded motor car with spiteful little draughts tickling all your tender spots. Ninetynine per eent of the officials are good fellows, polite and helpful in spite of the several ill-manneretf people tliey meet daily, and although the pace may sometimes be a little irksonie, it is not the pace that kills, and oue is rarely late in arriving at one's destination. Moreover it must not be forgotten that small townsliips and hamlets have a right to he served, and tliey can only be served at tlie cost of pace. Travel by motor car may be swift, more exciting, full of possibilities more hiteresting to read about than to actually experience. A long journev by train is safe and restful, tho continuous nerve-strain inseparable from motor travelling is missitig. Where do we find the perfection wliich people like "Observers" damn the railways for not possessing? In private enterprise? In the first place _ I wonder wliether "Observers" realise tho loss to the eommunity caused by the frequent bankruptcies in ordinarv business ventures. They gfibly and maliciously talk of incapacity in Government and municipal enterprises, but convenientlv close their eyes to the examples of glaring stupidity, slieer incompetence, laziness and low-down cunning to he found in the records of the Bankruptcy Court. If your correspondents will turn their three-thou-sand-candle-power eyes to private enterprise as it is conducted to-day, they may render good service to public health by deiiouncing the methods by which our foods are deprived of their essential qualities, are adulterated and fak'ed ; how patent medicines with injurious drugs are tlirust upon a creclulous pti bl io by specious, crafty ad vertisements and testimonials from unknown doctors. And unless they liave no claim whatever to call tliemselves "Observers," they will o'bserve that semi-washed, unkempt persons^ of hoth sexes are still to be found serving or working in shops where foods are prepared or sokl, whilst as for politeness and service, tlie wonder is that bankruptcies are not far more numerous than they are. — I am, etc..

Napier, November 20, 1929.