The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1925. NEW RAILWAY TARIFF

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 June 1925, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1925. NEW RAILWAY TARIFF

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock ’u Hawera, Manaia Norman by, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Tturleyvillc, Patea, Waverley. Mokoia, Wbakamara, Ohar.gai. Meremere, Fraser Road, an Ararata.

Considering that it is thirteen years since there was any comprehensive overhaul or revision of the Dominion's railway tariff, the proposals now before the country cannot be criticised on the .score that they are before thentime. That they will be criticised goes beyond question, lor the railways are being called upon to yield an extra half million of revenue -annually, and half a million is not to, be raised without -treading cn somebody’® toes. In his calmer moments, however, the general taxpayer must- -admit that railway development in. New Zealand has reached a point where it is only reasonable, to expect the service to pay its way. This is the Minister’s -aim, in advancing from 3» to 4£ per cent, the rate of interest which the department, has now to earn, the latter figure being approximately the average rate paid by -the .Government on the capital invested. Faced with this perfectly I-egutim mt-Gi uLemaixcL for extra- reven lie, the hoard has clone the courageous tiling, 'and made a cleaix, sweep of the old tariff, building again from the foundations. Nor, from the abridged schedule that iia-s been made public, can it be said that the building is out of proportion. As the chairm-an, Mr. F. J. Jones, has been at pains to make clear, the board has not -attempted to

make ends meet .ri-niiply by increasing fares and rates and abolishing concessions. The reduction of overhead charges, the prosecution of railway improvements! and progressive measures of reorganisation, and the attraction of new business have each their place in the new .scheme of things, while in some cases rates have not been raised, but lowered: Where the present charges are beyond question too low in comparison with others, increases are proposed; but it is to he assumed that scrupulous care will :b'e taken to avoid anything in the nature of unfairness. In setting itself out to remove anomalies the board will surely have been particularly careful not to create fresh anomalies. So far as the individual alterations, go, these are not yet available in sufficient detaiL for careful analysis; but the special concession made in the matter of fares to parents with large families should be warmly welcomed, while the improvement in the regulations governing the issue of excursion tickets is easily noticeable-.