OUTLOOK FOR THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 12 August 1932, Page 5

OUTLOOK FOR THE RAILWAYS.

GENERAL MANAGER'S

OPTIMISM.

•' ic opinion that from a railway point of view the worst days of the present difficult times are over is expressed by Mr P. G. Roussell, general manager of the New Zealand Railways, in the current number of the "Railways Magazine." Mr Roussell also refers to an increased public interest in the railways, and a definite revival in passenger traffic. "In looking over the latest weekly revenue figures of the Department J. find grounds for encouragement, and expect the complete figures for the current four-weekly period to show a distinctly favourable turn," he states. inis, combined with news and information gleaned from many sourees, warrants the belief that from a railway traffic viewpoint the worst days of the depression period may be over. "In the Dominion there is evidence ox a widely awakened public interest in the progress of the railways. AppreciaI tion of their importance to national welfaro is frequently expressed by leading public men and by tho Press generally. All this is helpful when the question 'How shall wo travel?' or 'How shall we sond our goods?' is uppermost, tor tnc belief that it is a 'good thing' to use tho rail whenever possible must be firmly held if wasteful diversions ol traffic are to be avoided.

Policy of Low Fares. "The definite revival in passenger traffic which recent months have shown is a clear indication that the policy ot low faros has met with public approval and support, and this has had favourable reactions for the Departments business in both parcels and goods traffic. "The purely instinctive tendency to 'freeze'—common to all animals in times of sudden danger —accounted for the sudden cessation of whole streams of commerce during tho shock period of the depression. That stage is now fortunately past, and in its place is found a more enterprising spirit, looking for opportunities to turn to advantage the present period of low prices, and a tendency towards revival along the avenues of trade. "Words of good cheer are now coming from tho highest and best-informed authorities both overseas and m the Dominion in regard to a clearing world outlook, and in any such improvement the milways of this country, which are at a high standard of operating efficiency, with carrying capacity much in oxeess of the business now offering, will undoubtedly share."