MERIT THE TEST

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 October 1924, Page 5

MERIT THE TEST

FOR RAILWAY OFFICIALS. MINISTER’S STATEMENT. A PROGRESSIVE STEP (Py Telegraph.-—Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. The Minister of Railways presented his railways improvement statement to the House this afternoon, and the report was tabled after a long discussion, in which members were handicapped by ignorance of its contents. In moving that the report he reprinted, the Minister said it had not been prepared in any way for the railway commission coming to New Zealand which, however, would be asked to comment upon the proposals and advise the Government as to whe-' ther they were in the best interests of the railway system. ,-None of the proposals, it was estimated, would show a return of not less than 5 per cent., and some up to 17 per cent, on the investment; in other words, the test .of merit had been applied in nearly every case. Various local aspects of railway improvement were rdiscussed, and the Minister 'of . Railways, ;in reply, stated that New Zealand did not appear capable of building more than eighteen engines '‘annually; therefore it was necessary to order twenty-seven immediately. It was estimated that 157 new locomotives would be needed tilT 1.929..' , He realised that the allocations would not satisfy everybody, but thev aimed at meeting public requirements. It had been asked : “What was the good of programmes?” But he would refer his critics to the achievements, in regard to hydro-electric and railways construction programmes. It could be shown that, .by concentration, satisfactory progress had been made. The programme did not interfere with the public works programme, hut some of the railway improvements would be done by the Public Works Department, and it would not greatly increase the borrowing requirements. SCHEME FOR IMPROVEMENTS. WELLINGTON, Oct, 2. A statement covering proposed railway works and improvements was laid on the table of the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister for Railways (Hdn. J. G. Coates). The Minister said the programme proposes works totalling £8,081,500, an exjienditure which is to be spread over a period of eight years. The Minister said that whether the proposals pleased or displeased everyone rev had been determind on the merits of the case and with due regard to. whether or not it would pay the Dominion to expend the money. The proposals in the statement would not in any way interfere with the Public Works railway construction programme. FL) KT.tlJi.at OEi AlrtS. Mr Coates states tnat in drafting a programme oi works lie lias endeavoured to lay aside all political considerations, and that ne liad allowed no influence to operate ©tner than me strictest merit oi eacli proposal as ascertained by statistics unaer suorr neadmgs as. tne loilowing: (a; Coot oi dealing with traffic witn. existing tnuiriial facilities as compared witn tne improvements proposed; (b) cost oi ..vge over existing lines as compared witn tne suggested alterations to me lines by grade easements or otherwise;. (c> economies that nav be effected by introducing automatic signalling, electric lighting,- shop improvements, etc. ‘‘To-meet all require ments considered desirable by the Department,” the Minister’s statement continues, “would involve a" total' expenditure, of approximately £13,000,UUO.” The Minister states that he has laid •jut his rirogramme so as to apporticn the expenditure as far as pssible evenly over a period of eight years. Tins is in addition to the expenditure for rolling stock, new equipment, housing «.nd minor improvements covered' i.y tlie annual appropriations for additions to open lines. “Commenting on the proposals'generi'liy, i desire to say that even curing the comparatively snort, period that, 1 have had control of tlie Railway Department 1 have myself-observed -sufficient to enable me to fully appreciatethe difficulties under which the work of the Department has been'carried on mving to the inadequacy of' the hi(iii-‘ ties The management and -the staff have been carrying on for some years undor circumstances of great difficulty, and I am satisfied that they have acne the best that was possible to "give-'the fullest measure of satisfaction to the public. 1 i'eei bound to conclude that, apart from other considerate ns afiecting the proposed works, it would be unreasonable to expect me General Manager and his staff 16 continue to merate Lhe railways under present couylifians without a reasonable hope of obtaining the facilities which will enable them to give a full measure of satisfaction. Unsatisfactory working lacilities make for discontent among the staff, and the desirability of ensuring contentment among tlie staff and a feeling of pride in their concern is an important factor that I have had continually m mind in dealing with the proposals. “I doubt if the public adequately appreciates the significance of the fact tnat the Department is endeavouring, with facilities little improved over 1 nose existing in 19.14, to handle a traffic substantially greater than in the year mentioned. “When the 1914 programme of works was formulated, tht facilities existing were considered to be totally inadequate, and the difficulties being experienced at the present time may be gauged by the fact that since the 1914 report 2s! 2 additional miles have been opened for traffic. “In addition to this, traffic is being carried on 1492 miles at present under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department, which will throw an increased burden on the terminal and sub-terminal facilities, and renders increased accommodation still more necessary. Within the period of eight years over which my present proposals are spread, a further 427 miles of line will in all probability be completed and taken over by the Working Department. j “The above developments make the question of terminal facilities at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch particularly urgent. For instance, the increase in mileage actually connected with the port of Auckland since 1914 has been 137 miles: and, by the year 1931 a further length of 220 miles will lie added, without taking into consideration the Taranaki connection now in course of construction. Since 1914 the length of additional railway connected with the system centreing, upon Christchurch is 16G miles, and a further 60 miles will in all probability he added bv the year 1931.” Tlie Minister states that after most mature deliberation he does- not hesitate to assure taxpayers that they need have no misgivings as to the expenditure,