The Railway Problem.

Evening Star, Issue 17792, 14 October 1921, Page 4

The Railway Problem.

Dueisg the month ot August tho London ‘Times’ issued a special railway supplement. It ■was an extremely timely idea, for railway transport everywhere is becoming a serious problem. It is difficult to point to any railway system that is paying its way. It it onlf* two mouths since tho British railways were finally freed from the special forms of Government control instituted during the war. . It is a well-known fact that, when the British Government operated the railways they were run at a loss. Multitudinous problems face the railway companies at the beginning of their newfound freedom, but these may be grouped under two main objectives of general policy—increasing the revenue and decreasing the costs, for tho dual purpose of securing a reasonable return on capital and reducing the charges l to the public in the shape of fares and freights. .Kxactly tho same problems fa.ee us here in Kew Zealand, though on a much smaller scale, as can bo understood when it is slated that the capital invested in tho New Zealand railways is about £40,000,000, while the British railways represent a nominal capital of £1,300,000,000, of which over £700.000,000 forms authorised trustee investments. All over the world it in the same, whether tho linos are privately owned or Stale owned. \ ictoria had a record revenue from all sources last financial year, ended June 30, the surplus, excluding railways, being £594,173. But there was a deficit on the railways amounting to £437,235, and this whittled away tho surplus to £56,957, instead of swelling it to the vicinity of throe-quarters of a million, as such a fine system should ho capable of doing. Tho trouble is that while the railway, revenue has been falling wages have been increased by no less than £1,600,000 in two years, while, chiefly because of tho vagaries of tho coal miners, tho price of coal remains inordinately high. If wo turn to other countries tho story is much the same—higher wages and dear fuel. With the higher wages we have no quarrel. In Britain, at any rate, railwaymen were underpaid before the war, and they seized on the oppol'tunity afforded by Government, control to greatly improve t-hoir position. It is pleasing to know that the best of relations now exist, between the railway companies and the wage-paid staff. During Government control opinion was trending to regard the railways as a moribund institution doomed to eventual bankruptcy: but decontrol has been signalised by the reappearance of active enterprise among the railway .companies. The managers are boldly adopting principles which are the direct opposite of those which ruled under Government control, and which the British Government is still pursuing with tho posts, telegraphs, and telephones. There tho Government is trying to recoup itself against loss duo to over-costly administration by putting up rates and discouraging custom. The railways, freed from control, are now courageously hoping to recover financial stability by trying to obtain the largest possible volume of traffic. They are taking risks, but expert opinion believes that their policy will bo triumphantly vindicated if general national prosperity is regained. If a State railway system will condescend to learn from expert private control we might suggest a similar policy to those •vho control the present non-paying and tariff-ridden New Zealand railways.

“Under the new regulations any hairdresser or barber applying petroleum spirit to the hair of any customer or person commits an offence, and is liable for every such offence to a fine of £loo.”—The above is a clause in the new regulations in connection with the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act.

A few days ago (says the, ‘ Dominion ’) it was notified in these columns that a number oi kapok-stuffed lifebelts stamped with the word “ Fosoo ” had lx?cn washed up on the beach at Karaka Bay. At first it was thought that these belts, which arc of excellent design, were from some vessel, but it now appears that the “ Fosco ” bolt was one of tho lifesaving appliances sanctioned by the Board of Trade daring the war, and was used considerably by passengers and others when passing through danger zones known to be infested bv U-boats. '

A veteran of tho Maori wars. Israel Hirst, who has readied the ripe old age of eighty-five years, spent a very unenviable period in tho open from 9 a.m. on Saturday, when ho wandered from friends at Devonport, with whom ho was staying, until shortly after 4 p.rn. on Monday (says tho Auckland ‘.Star’), when the police took him in charge, wrapped him up like a baby in blankets, and placed him in front of a warming tire, at file police station. Later, On tho advice of Dr Teweley, ho was removed to tho hospital, where ho is shaking off tho effects of his wanderings. Saturday night the old gentleman spent in d-lio railway yards, and when ho was discovered prior to being handed over to the polioo by two young women near the boat-sheds on King's Drive he wap chilled to tho bone and in a. state of collapse, the old fellow being minus ooat and hat, and having fasted during the period he had spent outdoors. It is evident that tho old gentleman is made of tough stuff, for a night spent out in the rigorous conditions that characterised Sta-urday night would have gone very hard with many men of younger years. Mr Hirst has been a resident of tho Dominion for over sixty years.

It in pointed out in an instructive review dealing with the prevention .of plagno and tho economic loss mused by rale, appearing in the (November, 1920, issue of tho ‘ International Journal of Public Health,' that one pair or rats, if unmolested nndi given favorable conditions of life, will within a year give rise to n progeny of 880 rats. One writer has assumed tho rat population of Great Britain to ho 40.C00.0C0—i.e., about one to each acre cultivated or one. per head of tho human population. Ho further assumed that each rat on an average occasioned a. daily loss of Id. On these assumptions the total damage done by rata in that country amounts ■to £15,000,009. This estimate (aavs tho 1 Journal of Health ') does not take into account the damage done by rats on snips, but relates solely to the rural and urban activities of these animals. All available statistics stress tho great economic loss occasioned by tho depredations of rate, and that the control of tho .rat population is very important for economic considerations as well as for reasons of public health. This is an important aspect Uni should bo borne in mind by shipping companies and all authorities responsible for tho storage of foodstuffs.

The Baptist Conference at Wanganui was continued yesterday, 'iho financial statement showed a total 'income in the general account of 51,777, with a small debit bakanro. A strong protest was made against the proposed increase of gambling facilities. A proposal to establish an effective. young people's department was warmly discussed, and the scheme was generally approved, particulars being sent back to a committee to report Inter in the session. The young people's demonstration was lie'll, in the evening, with groat success.—Press A asocial ion.

The threatened withdrawal of the .summer seaside train was disetwred at the meeting of the Hallways Committee <-f the Otago Expansion League last night. .Members of the committee who have an e.vreu-

sive knowledge of the traffic and the conditions under which passengers travel mi these excursions deride the statement that the train docs not pay. The committee resolved to support the citizens already engaged in the agitation for the retention of the week-end facility.

A member of tho North Canterbury Hospital Board told tho Minister of Health at Welih igton that (ho country could do with 10,000 bricklayers, joiner,;, plumbers, coopers, imnmoulders, and paperhangers, and the Minister in reply said that it was difficult to get plasterers. ‘ l I can give most of that a flat denial,” .said C. Bonn, secretary of the Christchurch. Plumbers’ Union and the Plasterers’ Union. “In some plumbing shops trade is decidedly quiet anti men have had to be put off. There are no plasterers out of work, hut tho trade in Christchurch could not absorb more than six additional men. Other skilled trade:; arc slackening, and the unemployment position is getting worse, even amongst skilled workers.”—From Our Christchurch Correspondent.

The Harbor Boards Conference meets at Wellinafton on the 19th inst. The following delegates from iho Otago Board leave oiT'Monday next: —Chairman. -Mr T. Scollay; deputy chairman, Mr if. 0. Campbell; chairman of Finance Cunmittoc, Air J. Loudon ; chairman of Works Committee, -Mr H. E. Moller. Tho board’s pccrotery, Air Bardaley, will accompany tho delegation. The officials of the Now Zealand Workers’ Union have issued the following manifesto:—“Tho .shearers' Council and tho New Zealand Workers’ Union now advise'- shearers and shed hands throughout the Dominion to make arrangements at tho best rates they can obtain. This means that men can commence work at tho award rate; but wherever circumstances warrant a higher rate it can bo, demanded. Tho award provider, for only a minimum rate, below which iho employers cannot pay.. Had the Shearers’ Council been advised or had it anticipated that Mr Justice Frazer’s decision was to bo given a Dominion application, tho shearing trouble could have been averted.”

West Earlier, like most other boroughs in tho Dominion, is in tho position of having to renew loans. Some £14,200 of these fall due on January 2, 1322. With commendable energy too council set to work to secure tho money to meet its liabilities, and on inquiring to-day from tiro mayor (Mr Moller) as to the floating of the projected Joan a- report?.)' was informed that the local loan had been oversubscribed ; that, in fact, His Warship was in a position of having to refuse money. “Tnis position has been brought about,” ho stated, “by tho good work of the town clerk and the excellent name the borough holds as a residential suburb." On Wednesday evening a lady boarded a- tramcar at Lambton .Station, Wellington, in order to proceed to Thorn cl on to catch tho express tor Auckland.. On reaching tho latter station she found (reports an" Association telegram) that her pun-o had been stolen. It contained £SO and two train tickets for Auckland. Tho only passenger to alight from the car was a woman, who -left tho car at Davis street stop, and disappeared into the darkness along that thoroughfare.

Tho Woffington City Council has decided, when tap houses now under construction are completed, to discontinue building operations (says a Press Association message). When butter was retailed at 2s 4d per lb in Dunedin a seller came out with oilers at 2s 2d; when tho trade price was reduced to 2s 2d someone announced that ho could sell at 2a; and now, with the regular price at 2s, a house-to-housa canvass is being made for orders at la 10;!. Whatever the causes may be, it is evident that the public arc getting cheaper butter now that the Government control has ceased.

There are reasonable stocks of sugar in Dunedin. Tho public, knowing that a reduction in price is imminent, are buying only in small -quantities. A steamer from Auckland is expected to bring a consignment early in November to be sold at tbo new price. It is a sign of the times that the steamer (rlancus, which is bringing guano from Surprise Island, is to load general cargo at Dunedin for Auckland,

A number of entries are. already in for { the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s forthcoming Summer Show, aijd the total promises to lie a record. Tho promise relates to all sections of'exhibits, but particularly live stock, and that is satisfactory, because it is primarily for swell that tho show is run. Taliana Park is now in find-class order.. Some of tho buildings are being repainted. / The monthly meeting of the N.E. Volley School Committee was held on Tuesday evening, Mr Elliot (chairman) presiding. Tho head master reported the average attendance as follows :- / ~526 boys, 297 girls, out of an average roll of .351 boys and 340 pirk. Tho attendance this week shows a slight improvement, although there is still a good deal of sickness about, especially sore throats, several of tho teachers being absent with the same complaint. Tho head master of tho Gam,am North School wrote thanking all who billeted the band boys who were competing at flic recent Corn pet it ions. Quito a number of parents wero perturbed over tho report that a refuse tip was to be opened in the vicinity, but their fear? were pet at rest, Che committee having received a letter from tho town clerk stating that the City Council had no intention of opening a refuse tip in the vicinity of tho school. It was resolved to minute tho memorandum rs “saluting the flag” and the singing of the National Anthem, and that tho secretary write to Dio Education Board stating tho committee's approval. Messrs Campbell and Poison were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. A big rotary kiln for cement making at Milbnrn is being manufactured at tho Maori Iron Works at Port Chalmers. Tho kiln which has been made by engineers, turners, moulders, boilermakers, and other iron workers, is a big job. Its dimensions are: Length,' 110 ft; diameter, Bft; weight, 120 tons.

At a meeting of the honorary medical staff of tho Dunedin Hospital on Monday it was derided that, in view of tho Hospital Board’s doriro to respond to tho town clerk’s appeal on behalf of tho unemployed, the members of tho staff should make an unconditional donation of £SO to the board's funds. Tho hope was expressed that tho board would bo thus enabled to authorise tho head gardener to engage a few capable men tor the improvement of tho hospital grounds. This venr the Otago Rowing Association dec: ded to held no official opening of tho season, but to leave arrangements to tho various club;-. The North End Chib will commence for the year to-morrow afternoon. Tho committee of th« Otago Rowing Chili has decided, in view of the races to-morrow and Labor Day week-end next weak-, not to start tho season till Saturday, October 29.

Henley Railway Station is to be closed as an officered station as from to-morrow, am! tradio to and from Henley will he dealt with under tho regulations for ling station {raffle.

Tim fairs of foodstuff? and articles of all

descriptions in the Mrqsfs to-dav for tho vnenvdoyed relief fund met with a great response, ami it was expected that when tho stalls (seven in all) dose up to-night

about £'oo won Id be in hand. Mr W. It. L'aywa'-d, chairma.n of the Relief ExoI'utive'e General Committee, states that Iho re-p uifc from the school children for goods baa bc'ii somethin? wondorinl. Pome of the schools forwarded as many as twenty eases of produce for calc. A magnificent collection of 30.009 daffodil blooms was also received from Lawrence. The ladies of ins various social and prominent organisations of the city have, charge of the stalls, and up to lunch tima were well pleased ■ with their sales. One, stall disposed of four cases of jam in about two hours, i'lgga and vegetables also met with a quick sale. The Port Chalmers fishermen were unable to get out yesterday, and consequently could not make a contribution of fbh (tils morning. They, however, purpose holding -a speoial day themselves and tolling (heir “catch'’ in the city, probably early next week. Another eight names were, registered at the Town Hal! Employment Bureau this morning. The Anglican Diocesan Synod (reports a Xe!,-on telegram) discussed the alleged unfair condition.-; in regard to tho reception of immigrants by respective clergy, and resolved—That tho Synod enters its indignant and cmphalr- protest, and demands that representatives of tho Church of England bo granted tho fullest facilities for boarding immigrant vessels on arrival, so that the clergy of different districts to which immigrants are being sent shall bo notified immediately.” The assault-at-arms by the Y.M.O.A. classes attracted another large audience List night. At tho close of the entertainment Mr ft. W. W. B. Hughes, national secretary, said that the tremendous impetus noticeable in physical work m nli the associations of New Zealand during the past twelve months was most encouraging. Alter speaking of tho splendid exhibition given by members racier the direction of Mr Hanna, and urging the men present, io take up physical work, be Indicated the growth oi that department liv saving that tins summer the Wellington’Y.M.C.A. will have twelve cricket frame in the field, and the Auckland Association seventeen.

An attempt is to bo made to resuscitate the Otago Umpires’ Association. and a meeting with this end iu view is to be hold to-morrow evening in tho office of Iho Otago Cricket Association, There should bo a rnfficinnt. number of old players and oibc.ro w/k> arc capable of taking up the duties of umpire if they will only come forward. It is hoped that a new association will Iks launched as a result of (he meeting. A correspondent (“ Kgl in ton ”) wrote to tho ‘ Star’ this week in .regard to the regrading of Hayward street, Momington. and a'iced how much assistance had been rendered in money and kind by the adjoining propcrtv-owrif r;, and how much of tho ratepayers 5 money was going to bo squandered on this totally unnecessary work. The answer is that tho work- is not being carried out by the City Council; it is being done by Iho Unemployed! Relief Executive. Contributions for tho regrading wore received from residents of the Creel, one giving £SO.

Watson’s No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth tho money.— [Advt] Barton and Trangrovo draw attention to their advertisement .re. reduction in tho prico of meat on page s.—[Acivl.J Everybody's happy, every body’s glad! Washing-day clouds arc dispensed by tho vfondevful “No-Rubbing” Laundry Help and “Goiucu Rule” Soap.—[Advt..] Tennis Players.—-Splendid, raclcots, iOs 6d, 16s 6d, 255. 25a ; presses, Ss 6d. Todd’s Arcade 153 George street.—[Advi]

“The King, gentlemen!” And tho toast was honored in tho King of Whiskies— Watson’s No. 10.—fAdvt.J