MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1923. RAILWAYS AND ROADS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 11 June 1923, Page 4

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1923. RAILWAYS AND ROADS.

A very interesting informal discussion took place at Manaia on Thursday between the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) and members of the Waimate West Comity Council and the Manaia Town Board. The question of motor traffic competing with railways was the main theme of the discussion, and Mr. Coates was very interested in the views expressed. There is no doubt about the difficult position in which the railways are placed, and each year finds motor traffic becoming a greater competitor. Ko one can blame those who institute the motor services and meet the demand for this means of transport, but the traffic is raising a great problem for local bodies as well as the Government. Unfortunately many of the motors engaged in the traffic have been bought from America, and a great quantity of the benzine required for their use comes from America. Mr. McPhillips made a very strong point of the fact that motor traffic in New Zealand was not only a serious competitor with the railways, but was also helping to swell the revenue of the United States at a time when the British Empire needs all the commercial strength possible, and at a time when we all want the railways to pay. Mr. MePhillips showed that high freights are preventing the producers from using the railways to the fullest extent, and until the rates are 7-eduoed substantially it is likely that motors will continue to handle great quantities of goods which would otherwise be placed on the railways. Many people will agree with Mr. McPhillips' views and with his statement that in our railway system there appears to bo "something wrong somewhere." Tho ! appointment of the Hon. Mr. Coates to j be Minister of Railways will be well received, and with his business-like] methods, which he has applied to the Public Works Department, the rail-

ways should show an improvement under his administration. We believe that Mr. Massey's choice is an excellent one, for not only is Mr. Coates a very j live Minister, but there is so much rela-j tivity between railways and publicworks that it seems that if possible o::e Minister should control both. Tho Government has promised a redurtion iii railway charges in the near future,' and it is to be hoped that lower fares and freights will bring trade back to' the railways and make them payable. We do not know when the reductions in charges are to be made, but they are i very necessary to the producers and to' the primary industries, which are still carrying a heavy load. Last week's' visit to the greatest dairying area m ! the Dominion should prove of very' great value to the new Minister of Rail- ■ ways, for he was siren clearly the views of the producers towards the railways and roads. Mr. Coates was very interested in the discussion and we are sure that he will do his best to bring about changes in the railways administration that are needed for the welfare of the country as a whole. The three Departments of Public Works, Post and Telegraph .and Railways will make heavy demands upon the Minister, and it is to be hoped that he will not find ! his duties too heavy. Fortunately ho is a strong man, and the country will have the benefit of the best service that he can give it. One thing of which we may all be sure, Mr. Coates will "get things done" and he will do what he thinks best for the people as a i whole.