RAILWAY WORKING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 6 April 1934, Page 5

RAILWAY WORKING.

GENERAL MANAGER PLEASED. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 5. _ A marked change in the public attitude toward th© railways; a growing understanding of the work the railways are trying to do; a greater confidence between railway officials and members of the travelling public; steadily improving railway revenue and an increase in efficiency in handling traffic, are some of the impressions gained by Mr G. H. Mackley, General Manager of Railways, during his first tour of inspection of the South Island railways.

The Railways Board, he said, expected a large increase in revenue for the year just ended. Last year’s revenue amounted to £850,540; this year the revenue would not be much short of £1,000,000. This was an indication of the back-to-the-rail tendency. which was common throughout the country. Farmers and others were beginning to realise the advantages of long-distance railway transport for their products over transport by road, and in tho Southland district, which Mr Mackley had just visited, farmers were almost 100 per cent, loyal to the railways in their goods business. The public attitude to the railways was definitely changing. People were recognising the improved efficiency of the department and the service it was giving to the country. The public was beginning to understand the railways better and the Railways Board had done a great deal to bring about this feeling of confidence.