THE RAILWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 155, 1 July 1919, Page 7

THE RAILWAYS.

BARELY WEEK'S SUPPLY. UO BELIEF TILL AUGUST. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. Mr. C- J- Parr, M.P., has received the following reply from the Minister of Railways on th*- subject of train service reductions. The answer is important inasmuch as it explains the Government policy: —""It is impossible to say when the ordinary service can be resumed, and there is only about a weeks supply of coal, viz., about live thousand tons, on normal running, in sight for next month. This situation will un-

doubtedly be relieved when the Australian strike i= over, but relief cannot be expected immediately, as ships have first t_ go from New Zealand to Newcastle.' "The epidemic is also the cause of much delay, especially if the coal boat- on arrival here have to undergo quarantine. As you are probably aware, the Kaituna has'been in Newcastle a week or more, and has not started loading yet. She should by this time have been here, and her cargo of coal discharged. "I can assure you that the time-table •will be resumed at the earliest possible moment, but there is hardly any hope lof <retting any alleviation until August. {We are trying to reduce our ordinary consumption of 5000 tons of coal to help £hat amount.'' THE rNTETUISLAND FERRY. DAILY SERVICE MAINTAINED. (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. this day. It is stated unof-cially that the Union Company will not curtail the fern,- service on account of the restricted train service, and it is believed that the 3fararoa and the Maori will continue to ■ Tun between Lyttelton and Wellington.