"TOO MUCH TRAVELLING."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14231, 30 November 1909, Page 6

"TOO MUCH TRAVELLING."

INCREASED TRAIN FARES.

SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

WyiiEroTON, Monday. The new proposal by way of raising increased revenue from railway fares provides for a uniform charge of r , Id per mile second class, and -l£dl first class, whether, the journey is 40 miles or 400.-Thus the price of a second class ticket, Wellington to Auckland, as previously stated, will rise from a guinea to about £1 15s. The rates are identical . with those, in Australia.

A railway expert of high standing has given the Post an opinion that the projected raising of the fares will be a mistake. In his view it will be unwise to frame a tariff which will diminish traffic. He submits that the Government is taking the wrong line in its efforts to make the railways lose less money than they are now doing. He» suggests that it would be better policy to cut out "dead running" rather than the live passengers. His plea is a reduction of the unprofitable mileage run, especially in the South Island, where the frequent longdistance trains provide 'facilities in excess of the requirements.

Another expert advocated a lessening of the mileage covered by unprofitable trains, but held that the raising of passenger rates for long distances was essential for the success of the State enterprise. His view was that if the rates were put up, the traffic might naturally diminish, but his argument was that it would be better business, as a general principle, for the State to collect £1,000,000 in . railway fares from .' 666,666 persons, at £1 10s, .than £1,000,000 from a million persons at £1 each. He believed that though thenumber of passengers " might show a shrinkage for a time, the Railway Department should be able to more than recoup itself by reductions in the working expenses. He was convinced that New Zealand was "over trained." There ,was too much train running, too much travelling. If the people travelled less it would be better for themselves as individuals, and better for the country as a whole.. More money would ;be available for productive purposes. The time and money wasted on more or less needless travel-, ling in New Zealand should be something to exercise the minds of thoughtful economists. For example, the present tariff between Auckland and Wellington— return, trip for a couple of guineas— absurdly cheap. It involved a loss, and meant that non-users, or very minor users of the railways, had to help to pay for the privileges granted to others.' Fairness to the general taxpayers, despite the old three per cent, doctrine, demanded that the railways should be made to pay their way by fair fares, and by good management, watchful to minimise unnecessary running.