The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1924. THE RAILWAYS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1924. THE RAILWAYS.

Delivered every evening by a o'clock m Hawera Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltharn, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awafcunj, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

For years past the policy of the Bailways Department has been regarded by many people as old-fashioned and out of date, and time after time efforts to have improvements effected have been resultless. As the country progresses the demand for improved services increases and the people look to the Minister and the Department to effect those improvements. Failure to do so has undoubtedly assisted the motor services, which, by trying to cater for the requirements of the people, have built up good connections. The Minister of Eailwavs has realised the position clearly ever since he accepted the portfolio, and he has made no secret of his intention to run the railways on sound business lines and to do all he can to recover traffic which the railways have lost.. The motor has become a very popular means of transport, and those who have organised the numerous services deserve full credit for their keenness and enterprise, but the fact remains that the country has 3063 miles of railway line laid down, at a cost of over £40,000,000, and that it is necessary that the service should pay its wav. We can see no good reason why the lines should -not pay, if the

people are given the service which will meet requirements. The produce from the farms has increased enormously in bulk during the last few'years, and imports are also growing. In the opinion of the Minister the railways should carry a larger portion of this increased traffic, and under his policy efforts are being made to secure it. In short, the Railway Department is out after business, meeting the competition from the motor services. Passenger traffic on the railways fell off by over half a million for the year ended March 31, compared with the year ended March 31, 1923, while the Statistician’s returns show that for the 192 days ended October 11, 1924, there was a fall of over 320,000 passengers compared with the similar period of last year. The tonnage of goods carried increased by over 300,000 tons for the year ended March 31 last, but the 192 days up to October 11 shows a falling off of over 100,000 tons. Revenue, however, showed an increase for both periods, and by keeping a careful watch over expenditure the proportion of expenditure to revenue was improved. But there is still room for Improvement, and, with the report of the English experts to guide him, the Minister is busy seeking ways and means to place the system on a better footing. A board of management is being set up, and it is hoped that the results will be good. The chairman of the board is Mr. F. J. Jones, who has some thirty-five years ’ service to his credit, and no doubt the other two members, whose names have not yet been announced, will also be men of long experience and association with the railways. A fast limited express has been instituted on the Main Trunk line, and improvements to the cars to give greater comfort to . travellers . are in hand. We do not know if the Wellington-New Plymouth and Welling-ton-Napier expresses are to be speeded up, but no doubt, if the investigation at present in hand shows opportunities for improvements, they will be undertaken. The public await with interest the statements which the Minister is expected to make shortly. Meantime, it is satisfactory to know that definite efforts are being made to wm greater favour for the State transport service which is of so much value to the Dominion.