GENERAL TRAIN SERVICES.

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1907, Page 4

GENERAL TRAIN SERVICES.

WELLINGTON, Nov 13 . TKe Premier stated in the House to-day that the circumstances of the j Dominion are undergoing so rapid a change in connection win railway travel that the time is fast approaching when, in order to enable the journey time between the distant poinits to 'be shortened, the. stopping places of the present through trains' must be lessened and short journey passengers will require to use the local train services. The convenience of the long- distance- passenger ought not to be subordinate to -ih; convenience of th« shorF distance passenger, whose requirements are otherwise well •. provided for. With, iha linking up of the North Island main trunksystem,, rapid communication between Auckland and the Bluff v, ill be essential to accomplish this end and provide a satisfactory service. A saving of time now lost by the stopping 0. i.i'.iro-u'gih 'traikis a<nd stations of le^ er importance will become, a matter of imperativ-3 necessity. The express trains are now run at a very high '"'rote ■of "-speed id order to accomplish their, respective journeys in the short- : 'est possible time, and it will be tot ally impossible to maintain a satis- • factory service if the stopping places are increased. CO^CBSSdOiN TO RIFLE CLUBS • (Replying to. a question, the Minis- j • ter of Defence stated that the con- i , cessions made at present to defence rifle clubs are an increase of free ammunition up to 120 rounds annually, ■ while each member is allowed to purchase 100 rounds at the reduced price of 53 per 100; and the issue of free railway passes 'to the annual meeting of the ; N'3W Zealand Rifle "Association and also for--competitions in districts up to ico miles. iMemlbers are also allowed to earn a marksman badge. Clubs in addition will get a course of class-fimng driH at least once quarterly and submit to discipline on a rifle range They are aiso allowed to '\. purchase arms at bare cost. annually is voted. fo.. the expenses of the Naw Zealand Rifle Association,"' and many rifle clubs now compete. £450 is al-o voted for competitiop|s in various centres of the Dominion open to the public, at wHich rifle clubs and public schools and cadets may compste. £500 is about to be expended in obtainiag champion belts for competition. The captain of the defence cadets has been raised to 12s 6d, and an additional annual allowance of fifty rounds free ammun3 (ion granted. ADMISSION OF CONSUMPTIVES. The Minister of Health, in reply to Mr Jennings, who asked whether at is true that a numiber of persons comparatively recent arrivals in New Zealand have been and are now .patientts vi our sanatoria for con'suimptive and public hospitals, said— "Short of actu ally requiring all passengers to submit to a clinical examination, which' would " require several hours in the case of intercolonial boats, I do not think that our present system could be improved. Sh;ppers inform us that in no other co-.in ry f-re the examinations so carefully made to prevent the "admission to the Dominion; of people likely to become a burdien upon the rates, acts of the nature of the Immigration Restriction Act Have j to be administered with tact and l judgment. . All the shipping companies trading between the Old Country and New Zealand have been advised that no one who through sickness is likely to become a chayg' ( e> -upon tha charitable aid of the Dominion will he admitted. The attention of the Home' authorities has also been drawn to our regulations that indigent, incurable, or sufferers from any disease will not be allowed to land in New Zealand. ._.