The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1930. THE RAILWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 222, 19 September 1930, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1930. THE RAILWAYS.

Tot the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs rcsistanoe, For the future in the distance, And the good that toe can do.

The Minister said in last, night's debate on the railways that he viewed the future with hope, but he did not communicate much of that feeling to the House or the country. One must feel sorry for Mr. Veit-eh, as for anyone who holds this position, the most difficult perhaps —after that of Minister of Finance — in the Cabinet. Yet, allowing for this and for the fact that the Government is awaiting the result of special investigations into railway matters, one could wish that Mr. Yeitch had been a little more resolute. To await the result of inquiries, to hope for powers to co-ordinate rail and motor traffic, and to pray for better times —this is the main substance of the Government's policy as outlined yesterday. It may suffice for the moment, but something much more definite and statesmanlike will be required before long. There are important decisions to be taken, and they cannot be postponed indefinitely.

The Leader of the Opposition proposed that the railways be Landed over to a nonpolitical Board, and New Zealand democracy may yet have to make such a confession of weakness. Little or no help is to be expected from the Labour Party, which regards the railways purely as a public utility, and is not greatly concerned whether the system "pays" or not. True, the developmental value of railways should be considered in assessing their total value, but to over-stress the importance of this factor is to open the door to all kinds of extravagance and waste. To say or imply that, because the railways serve the community, it does not much matter whether or not their accounts balance, is an invitation to slide down a slippery slope. There is no proof that railways cannot at the same time pay their way and serve the country. They do both in Canada. Railways are vital to the life of New Zealand, but is it necessary to lose a million odd pounds a year over them ? That is the question the Government has to explore and answer. It has done something to check the drift of railway finance, but it is expected to do much more. And, of course, the most important decision it has to take* is that concerning railways under construction. Last year the system lost £1,200,000, and on the Department's own estimates the completion of these lines would involve an annual loss of £.737,000. In the face of sueh figures it is impossible not to be very uneasy about the future.