Future Of New Zealand Railways

Northern Advocate, 28 September 1949, Page 4

Future Of New Zealand Railways

The return to New Zealand of the General Manager of Railways, Mr F W Aicken, and of Mr C. J. Hunter, a New Zealander who has held important engineering positions in England and the East during the past 20 years, will doubtless stir public interest in the future of this country’s railways. It is clear that Mr Aicken madthe utmost use of his 16 weeks’ tom abroad to come to grips with the operation of railway systems in many parts of the world, and, though he must naturally observe reticence until he has made his official report to the Minister of Railways, he if evidently impressed by the advan tages which electrification of ran cervices would confer upon the Dominion. The main purpose of Mr Aicken’; tour was to investigate electrification of rail services and to take steps to negotiate a contract foi equipping North Island rail service; with electric motive power. This matter has been referred V more than once since the present session of Parliament opened, and the responsible Minister indicated that he was keenly awaiting Mr Aicken’s report in order that an up-to-date policy might be adopted Mr Hunter, whose opinions must carry great weight, was associated at times with the purpose of Mr Aicken’s investigations, acting as liaison between a number of British companies and Mr Aicken concerning certain proposals for electrifying the main trunk lines in New Zealand. Contrary to the opinions of many people who seem to think that the electrification of main trunk services should be regarded as a luxury, Mr

Hunter is convinced that such a change is an absolute necessity. Investigations, he says, have shown that it would be possible to modernise the railways with a minimum of capital expenditure, and, in fact, to save several millions of pounds, He even goes so far as to say that nnual savings in operating costs 'ould, if it were so desired, wipe out vithin a reasonable period the capital expenditure involved in the hangeover to electrification. . In view of Mr Hunter s experience md his reputation as a civil engincer, his opinions command respect; it may be anticipated that what Mr Aicken and Mr Hunter say will have an impressive effect upon the standard and administration of Zealand’s railways. Clearly the question of electrify mg trunk railways is bound up with the question of developing New Zealand’s water-power, or white coal as it has been very appropriately iescribed. . , _ This point was emphasised Monday by another returned New Zealander, Professor Dalton, w o said that when atomic power becomes a peaceful, commercial proposition New Zealand would do better to adhere to hydro-electric power, for the reason that water, unlike other fuels, is not consumed by utilisation as a power producer. It may transpire that discussion of the electrification of New Zealand s railways will produce greater concentration upon the harnessing of every available source of hydroelectric power, which, adequately available, would prove a veritable wizard’s wand, the influence of which would quickly become apparent in every sphere of activity.