THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 13 November 1930, Page 10

THE RAILWAYS.

ECONOMIES EFFECTED.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

[THE PBESS Special Serrlee.J

WELLINGTON, November 12. j The revision of passenger fares and freight charges announced to-day is not the first step taken to rehabilitate the financial position of the railways, nor will it be the last, according to a statement by the Minister for Railways, the Hon. W. A. Witch, in an interview to-day. The Minister made it clear that economy measures had been adopted before the Koyal Commission's report was placed in the hands of the Government, but the imposition of the higher charges was the first 6tep toward giving effect to the Commission's recommendations. He had not completed the revision, but once this was done attention would be directed to other portions of the report, and where considered necessary the Commission's proposals would be put into effect. It is estimated that increased aanual revenue totalling about £202,267 will accrue as a result of the increases already made, and it is considered that thfc "adoption of the remaining proposals would mean an additional revenue of about £193,000.

Coal and Metal Transport. The Minister said to-day that the remaining increases would be made, although one or two points bad to be settled before they were put into effect. One of the most important of the recommendations relating to increased charges affects the carriage of New Zealand brown coal. The increased revenue from this source alone is estimated to produce about _Co ,000 a year. The higher charges are to b« imposed, but the Minister said it was hoped to meet the coalowners' convenience so far as the incidence of the increases was concerned. Ho intended to confer with them next Tuesday, and the new charges •rould be arranged following the meeting.

Another recommendation of the Commission receiving attention is that concerning tho rates for two separate classes of artificial manures. By increasing the freight on them "it is hoped to produce £91,000 in additional revenue and, there is also the question of rates upon road metal for use by local bodies, the cawiage of which it is considered should bring in another £29,000. Economies Effected. "We have been doing big things in the Railway Department in the way of economy," the Minister said "lit is quite unreasonable to proclaim to the public that nothing is being done except to increase fares and freight rates first of all. Now that the Unemployment Bill has been passed, and now that it will soon be in operation, there is no further need for the Railway Department to be loaded with the cost of unemployment relief. That feature of our expenditure has already been eliminate*!. Considerable reductions have been made bv the elimination of positions throughout the service. Contrary to the declarations of some newspapers, these eliminations did begin in the head office. Even before the Koyal Commission's report came to hand substantial economies had been effected. The elimination of unnecessary train mileage amounts, to almost 1.000,000 train, miles. That saving ofitself should figure out at tho rate of between.£l~s,ooo and £200,000 a year. Staff Transfers. "The abnormal cost of overtaking' repairs -to rolling stock will now cease as these repairs have been largely overtaken. A number of cadets are being transferred from tha Railway Department to other branches of the public service in which they are required. _ The elimination of a number of positions no looser considered necessary in the permanent staif, while it will retard' promotion, and even

■"-mount to a temporary step downward for eome, does not invoivp the dismissal of anv permanent men. The question of the further reduction of the staff is a matter for consideration, and T have not yet had the opportunity of going into it.

Ministerial Control. "It will be seen that it will be possible to reorganise the Railway Department and to do the things that are necessary to strengthen its finances under a system of Ministerial control. I can see no reason why a Minister who has the responsibility of control over the people's money should not himself fae® the task of doing these things. This is in keeping with the present Government's policy in reS.ard to all its administrative responsibility. r "There is a general cry to the effect that there should be a depoliticalisin" of the railways. I do not lite the word, but I merely use it because It has come into common use. I fi rm | v Miefe that the present Government's (.oliov or franblv facing its own responsibilities and telling the public the whole of the truth is nn« that has mot with general approbation "

MEMBERS' PROTEST

WORKERS* RAILWAY TICKETS.

FREIGHT RATES ON FRUIT.

The following telegram to the Hon. W A. Voiteh. Minister for Railways, was signed by Messrs J. McCombs. H. T. Armstrong, 12. J. Howard, and D. G Sullivan, members of Parliament, and was dispatnhed yesterday:— "We wish to emphatically protest against the tremendous increase in t£o price of workers' tickets on the Lyttelton lino. The increase is 45 par cent., and this huge increase is on top o. an increase which was made five years ago.

"No other section has had to face suc-h huge increases. The concessions which were given to workers for a large number ol years, and were first instituted by a Liberal Government, are in lino with concessions given to farmers and small producers. "We trust that you will reconsider the proposed ncreases in the interests of the workers, many of whom are working short time and earning a very precarious living. "We would ri'Tfund you, that when your Department increased the Sundav fares on the Lyttelton line, it i'tnlf»d to nrodiifo tho Hosirprl nffeot. "As a matter of fact, the result of tht increased fares on Sundays was to reduce the total revenue. "We also wish to protest against the incrense in freightage rates on fruits going to Dunedin nnd Invercar'gill. The proposed increases are being mad»> at a most inopportune -time."

MR VEITCH REPLIES. Following is a copy of the telegram received last evening by Mr E. JHoward, M.P., from the Minister for Railways, the Hon, W, A. Veitchj "Your telegram protesting against increase in fares on workers' tickets and increased rates on fruit received, and yoijr representations will he replied to fully later.—W. A. VeitcH,"