UNPAYABLE RAILWAYS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2481, 17 May 1909, Page 5

UNPAYABLE RAILWAYS.

LUXURIES TO BE DISPENSED WITH

Christchurch, May 13

The Hon. J. A. Millar continues to surprise upcouutry deputations by the vigorous manner in which he declines to be seduced into making even half-promises for addititional railway expenditure. Recently a second train on the Kakaia-Methven branch line was cut oil. Yesterday a deputation asked that it be reinstated, and pointed to the fact of other branch lines enjoying extra facilities.

In reply, the Minister said that in 1907 Mr Hardy, M.P., got Sir Joseph Ward to agree to put on a double train, on the understanding that it was to get a three months’ trial. It was stated that the thing was purely an experiment, and as it did not pay it was stopped. A further trial was given last year, and again the train was unpayable, and was stopped. The increased revenue from passengers was £135, and to get that extra amount the department had to spend £6lO. The deputation, he thought, would not run their own businesses in that way. The line cost £IOO,OOO, and for live years it only returned per cent. He was getting a return of the business on every district line in the country. Five trains had already been stopped, and on every branch line where it was shown that the railways were not paying it would be his duty to reduce the services. Either they had to curtail their expenditure or increase their charges if the railways were to be made to pay. There was a general feeling that the railways should be made self supporting, and that the Consolidated Fund should not be called upon to pay a portion of f the deficit. He was trying to get rid of the deficit without increasing the charges. Some luxuries had been granted in the past, but they had now to confine the service to necessaries until they could afford to give luxuries. The whole country was going to be put on the same basis. If Parliament did not support his recommendations, the Consolidated Revenue would Rave to. pay a direct grant to the Railway Department. He was trying to get the railways Jon a more payable basis than in the past, and he was only doing what the majority of the people in the country wanted.

Clyde Volunteer Social on the 28th inei.