PROGRESS ON RAILWAYS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 115, 12 November 1919, Page 4

PROGRESS ON RAILWAYS

From the "coal cut" to a time cut is an agreeable change, and the Railway Department is to be congratulated on the advance represented by the week-end innovation of a limited express between the two North Island capitals. In a time when transport services all over the world are gathering energy for a move ahead, it is well that the premier transport organisation in this country should be prepared to jump with the rest. Though remote from scenes of warfare, the New Zealand railways have suffered through the war on account of de- | ferred development work, staff disorganisation, and dearth of coal. The causes of two of these drawbacks are now removed; it is even possible that the coal miners may be converted from, their present false doctrine; and therefore it is time for the Railway Department to begin to throw off the paralysis of the warperiod. The fast express is one Departmental success, and w- hope that the new; time-table which is to come into operation nffxt month will be another. Suburban as well as distance traffic has to be considered, for everyone now.sees that the housing problem in cities, and the general cost of living, are largely dependent upon making the best use of the co-ordinated services of railways and roads. In the matter of relieving city congestion, duplication of rails and electrification of suburban services are goals riot far, distant. But in the meanwhile the new time-table should represent the fullest use of such facilities as are now available. . _