RAILWAYS SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1925, Page 3

RAILWAYS SERVICE

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION.

During the recent visit of Mr A. W. Weilsted, one of the officers of the recently inaugurated Commercial Branch of the New Zealand Railways, opportunity, was taken to discuss the objects, the Department hopes to achieve, through the addition of such an institution. “Well,” said Mr Weilsted, when questioned on the matter, “the idea is of course to evolve schemes whereby the Railways can be made to pay more than 4g per cent, on their capital cost. The country is clamouring for reductions in fares and goods charges, but these cannot be made till the revenue increases sufficiently to permit of it being done. It is not advisable to increase charges, but it is very desirable to increase the volume of traffic handled. It has been left to the Commercial branch to devise ways and means to do this, by

extending the services of the Railways to the public- First, I will tell you about our- through bookings We have introduced a system of through. bookings from the North. to the South Island, or vice versa, for parcels, goods and passengers, which covers the Lyttelton Wellington ferry service. We can book from any point to any other point in New Zealand in this way. We book your seat in the train and your berth in the ferry boat, and you are supplied with the set of tickets for the. whole journey, having nothing more to worry over in that dnt'C' tion. We can deliver a parcel to any town in New Zealand which is served by rail, and our aim is to do it as expeditiously as any other carrying company. The new scheme is already most popular, ail'd the pub-., lie is availing itself of it. Since it came into vogue we have booked up 100 berths on the ferry, and have handled 150 tons of goods. The Railway Department hopes in time that “through bookings” will be synonomous with “reliability and service-”

“How about motor competition?” “You will have noticed that Australia is exercised about this matter, and so we are not alone in having to face the problem of road competition, for the carriage of ' goods Hitherto, in New Zealand, motors have had almost free use of the main roads, and have been able to beat the railways, where roads were favourable, so far as freights are concerned. Now, with the new motor regulations in force, and the Highway taxes being levied, the matter will be somewhat, better for the railways. The desire is not to compete with the motors, but to co-ordinate with them, in serving the people of the Dominion, especially those in the places past the railway termini. They can also do good -work in feeding the railways. The Commercial branch was formed last August, and since that time has been actively engaged, in securing new business, and also in endeavouring to regain any which has been lost. Agents have been allotted districts, and are endeavouring to keep in close touch with the business side of ■ the Railways. They are making headway, and are succeeding to place the Railways on a proper business footing. The business agents are in constant touch’ with local bodies. Chambers of Commerce etc., in all towns which are linked up by rail. I During the last few months many ad--ditional facilities have been afford-, ed the public. A detail, such as the hire of a comfortable cushion for a train journey, at a charge of Is," an . innovation which is finding much acceptance with the public. At one time the staff did not seem to - be. keen on extending courtesy to the travelling public, except in exceptional cases—how do they feel about it now Do they treat the public all over New Zealand in the same considerate manner as our Greymouth'Officials do?”

“Been spoilt here, have you?” said Mr Wellsted, laughing. “Candidly, 1 think you will find all our staffs now out to assist the public in every way they can ; things are different; remember, we want to get business, not to drive it away!” “Does advertising form a part of the new business methods?” “Yes, thp Department has broadened in its view regarding advertisements. Our advertisements in the papers, are set *but better, and are usually placed where they can be found easily. We are supplying the various papers with stereos of engines to go at the head 'of all Railway advertisements, and these catch the eye at once.” “What about your arrangements for handling butter and cheese?” During the last year or two, the motors have been giving us a good “go,” and to regain our share of the traffic, we found it necessary, in some cases, to reduce our charges. It is to be hoped that dairy companies will realise the advantage of transporting their butter and cheese in our insulated vans, instead of per motor. Our arrangements permit us to lift the goods practically at tire dairy door and land them right inside the grading stores. It is to the interest of the tax payer to support us'in the' matter of butter and cheese carriage. Wool is another thing we are laying ourselves out to handle. Last year the Department reduced freights for wool, and, in consequence, carried a much larger quantity than had been the case in previous years. It is the aim of the Department to get the carriers to link up with the Railway, instead of competing against it, and its /endeavour by this system, is to quote a through rate from the shed to destination. The business agents are endeavouring to get into touch with % growers, and, by working in close co-operation with carriers, nope to secure the whole of the traffic for the Railways.” “Are you doing anything regarding the Dunedin Exhibition?” “Yes, we are offering very cheap fares and putting on .special trains, to try and induce the public to visit the exhibition, not once, but many times. Where sufficient traffic is offerIliff •if’ 4r. 411 I«F_

ing, it is the policy of the Department to run special trains. There will be a Railway Court at the Exhibition which should give the public an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the working of tne Railways.” “By the way, are there any parts of New Zealand where the Railways have succeeded in pushing motor traffic off the map?” “Yes, the Railways have secured, end l liold, practically the whole traffic’from Oaniaru to Dunedin. The people are forever complaining that the Railways are not paying, and yet they will not do their bit towards achieving that desirable end, the end the Department had in view, when they established the Cominercial Branch. This branch is under a manager, whose headquarters are m Wellington, and under him are six agents who have certain portions of New Zealand to “work,” and these agents are out to secure more business, and the more the better!”