Railway Service Held Obsolete, Redundant

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29333, 12 October 1960, Page 24

Railway Service Held Obsolete, Redundant

(New Zealand Press Association)

GREYMOUTH, October 11. The New Zealand Road Transport Alliance claimed at its annual conference in Greymouth today lhat road operators provide the best and cireapest freight service in the Dominion. The Railways Department would not remain ayear in competition with rood transport if no restrictions were enforced, delegates were told. ' The alliance alleged the railways service was obsolete and redundant. The subject was introduced by Mr L D. McKenzie (Tauranga) who asked the alliance to oppose the proposed rail link between the Rotorua-Taupo area, and the Port of Mount Maunganui. The conference adopted in principle, the resolutions submitted by Mr McKenzie, and they will be referred to the national council for immediate action. Resolutions "That empowering legislation must be brought down, constituting new railway development as a public utility in the particular area it is designed to serve, similar in concept to harbour board development, borough or county roadways, and the like. Within this fiscal framework the cost would be advanced as a capital loan to the railways for the specific project, to be amortised by earnings from the line, and deficiencies on operating losses to be recouped by the department striking a rate over the district involved. "Realistic Accountancy” Investigations on studies on new rant links should be conducted on a basis of realistic accountancy, with reference to road transport submissions, and

with the dear knowledge that the line shall be required to function without artificial legislative protection from any other competitive sources, either existing or contemplated. That these resolutions be placed before the local bodies throughout New Zeeland tor their support. Mr McKenzie cited opinions of local body members who supported' or opposed the proposed rail link from the Rotorua-Taupo district with the Port of Mount Maunganui. The secretary (Mr H. C. Campbell) said the subject had been discussed at the last meeting of the national council. “Better Job” “Road transport does a much better and cheaper job than the Railways Department, which we have to fight tooth and nail.” said Mr R. Tulloch (Mataura). It was road transport which did a good job in times when railway lines were flooded, and, during the rail strike. For fast delivery and the conveyance of fragile goods, road transport was the most satisfactory, said Mr Tulloch. “We should publicly declare our policy, and not stay in the background,” he added. There had been a time when railway transport charges were cheaper than road, but now the road operators could beat the Railways Department in every move, said Mr Tulloch. The public were forced to use a service which cost more, and had no choice of their own transport.