STUDENTS' RAILWAY FARES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 128, 30 May 1917, Page 8

STUDENTS' RAILWAY FARES

A deputation from the New Zealand University Senate waited on the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. H. Herries) and the Minister of Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan) this afternoon to ask for railway concessions, for students attending special schools. It was pointed out 'that many of the students were working 1 for their passes under very rigorous conditions, and in many cases the heavy railway fares constituted a barrier which could not be overcome. Incidentally it was suggested that the concession proposed might have the effect of breaking down the parochial feeling which now obtains to some extent even in regard to the University examinations. Further, it was urged that the concession asked would be more in favour of students who were, on account of their social conditions, not able to pay the full fare, but who deserved the fullest recognition by way of decreased railway fares. .

In reply, the Minister of Railways said if the concession only, applied to special schools he would have pleasure in consulting with his colleague on the subject. As far. as the railways . were concerned, if this was purely a railway matter he could not make any promise. Tha present policy was rather to repel than to attract traffic. He would conrider the matter carefully, 1 and consult his colleague (the Minister of Education) on the subject. ■'..■,