DEMAND FOR RAILCAR SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 236, 4 July 1939, Page 8

DEMAND FOR RAILCAR SERVICES

Applications From Many

Districts

“I hope that as soon as possible all people in New Zealand will be enjoying the advantages of railcar services in their various districts,” said the Minister of Railways, Mr. Sullivan, when the railcar Aotea, en route from Wairoa with the Ministerial party for the opening of the new railway, made a brief stop in Woodville for dinner. The member of Parliament for Pahiatua, Sir Alfred Ransom, who travelled by the Aotea from Wellington to Danuevirke, congratulated the Minister and the Railways Department ou the introduction of railcars.

Mr. Sullivan, in an interview, said railcars had passed the experimental stage in New Zealand and had proved themselves capable from every point of view, particularly that of fast running and comfort. The department was continuing with its building policy, but the greatest difficulty was providing railcars quickly enough to meet with the demands.

From practically every part of New Zealand, the Minister added, the department, had received applications for the inauguration of railcar services, but the cars took time to build and appropriations for this purpose must be reasonable and in relation to the finance available. In time the requirements of the various districts would be met. The Minister said that at present the department had seven of the Wairarapa type in commission; also six of the improved standard type which were completed within recent months. Ten railcars, now on order in Great Britain for South Island lines, would be landed iu New Zealand at intervals from September or October onward.