TRAIN SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 251, 22 October 1919, Page 6

TRAIN SERVICES.

It seems painfully obvious to say that people will be glad to hear that improved suburban services are to come into operation on December Ist. It is ( like saying that a starving man is glad to get a good meal. Some sort of a j special inquiry is to be made into the Auckland services, and apparently into the Kaipara line in particular, which, j even in the good old days "bef o' de war" _ was notorious for its slowness. So far j so good, but Mr. Masscy should understand that there is a great deal to be done before the public will be even moderately satisfied with the suburban services. It is satisfactory to have an indication that Mr. Massey sees the need for a general forward policy in suburban railways—we are speaking generally, and not of the Auckland lines only—and in the presence of a new Minister at the head of the Department there i 6 better hope of improvement than there has been ' for a long time. The inelasticity of Mr. Massey's mind, and the fact that he has a great deal of other work to do, tend ) to chill one's expectations, but let tis t hope for the best. It should be pointed : out again that what is wanted is more ; like revolution than improvement. The , Department mu6t change its attitude to , the public, and adopt different methods. - A revolution cannot be effected quickly, , and people will be content to wait, so i long as the Department gives proof of i its sincerity, and makes all possible imi provements in the meanwhile. 'We do ; not wish to be cynical, but it may be pointed out that an election is impend- • ing. The test of the Government's sin- : cerityin this matter will come after the 1 | elections. If then it is still determined 'i. to improve the suburban services there will be no room for doubt. t Of course, ' the present Government may not be in power then, but that is another ques- . tion, which need not be considered here.