The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, December 2, 1938. THE NEW RAILWAY RATES.

Grey River Argus, 2 December 1938, Page 6

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, December 2, 1938. THE NEW RAILWAY RATES.

The past three years have seen a great improvement throughout the'railway .service, which is the base of the Dominion’s transport system. Much greater advantage of it has in consequence been taken alike by travellers, producers and traders. The service, however, was admittedly in a most backward and even retrogressive state when this Government began its rehabilitation. Without the very large outlay thereby entailed, the country to-day would partly lack a factor second in importance, to none in the development of. its social and economic life'. Appreciation of the great improvement effected is general, and the Department’s decision to institute a ten per cent, increase in rates will be accepted as quite reasonable. The increase has been deferred for a long time, and has come at a time when it can more easily be met by everybody than it earlier could have been. At the same time, in certain kinds of freight there has been virtually no increase, but possibly some reduction. The two categories at present most costly are being abolished and the goods included in a cheaper one. In fact the whole freight classification has been simplified in a 'manner that will make it far more convenient for commercial interests. The change brings it into line with the practice of road transport services; Comparisons with other countries demonstrate that New Zealanders have still the cheapest and therefore most economical railway service. Queensland, Britain, and other countries also have had recently to increase their rates, while South Africa’s system in the early part of the year went over a million to the bad compared with last-year. Rates here remain cheaper for travel and freight than in any Australian State, -the only exceptions being one Queensland rate, that for -freight on short journeys. Every country has lately had to encounter increases in railway costs, including wages and materials, and those which so far have moved to read- J just the finances have shown a sig-

nificant disposition. Not, as hitherto, have the workers been made to contribute in the way of pay cuts,.. but' rates .have been readjusted. Our Government has also refused to reduce-pay. The service now given is well worth what the staff receive. Moreover, the readjustment is absolutely fair in being spread throughout the schedules evenly. The user is being asked to pay, and is the one who should pay. The difference may be felt slightly by extensive users, whereas others will hardly notice it at all. Conditions generally justify th'e readjustment. Tt conforms to an all-round improvement in our economic system.