NEW RAILWAY ENGINES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15834, 3 February 1915, Page 9

NEW RAILWAY ENGINES

Sir, —With reference to the cost of British and American engines, if we had the amount the country has had to pay for repairs to the 16 engines previously supplied from America it would bo seen that what is being saved in the initial cost is more, than made up for by the extra heavy cost in repairs- Let me give some concrete examples. In the first place, the life of an American engine is about 12 years, and that of the English one from 25 to 30 years; in fact, there are now running the class J. engines, which have done splendid work for 30 years, with copper fireboxes fitted when in the contractors hands, while on the 16 American engines the fireboxes have been renewed altogether or nearly so. Again, English engines are made with plate frames, same as those now being turned out by Price Bros-, while the American engine is built on the bar frame principle. I venture to say that had the locomotive on the express at the Whangamarino collision been an American, a greater number would have been killed. On many occasions the American engines come in for repairs with both sides of tho bar-frames broken, in some cases in two or three places, and costing anything from £5 to £50 to re'pair, let alone the loss sustained through being out of running- I believe that the shortage of tractive power complained of is due to so many of these faulty and expensively bought engines being under repair at one time. If time and space remitted, one could enlarge on the number of instances where tho English engine, though at first cost more, would be in the long run much cheaper than its rival American-built loco. In one particular only arc the American engines better than tho English, and that is inr the shops—the engines always being in the fitters' hands. Now in regard to the work not being able to bo executed in New Zealand. _ Let me say that I believe the firm of Price Bros, could by working two shifts and having more space turn out double the present number, and the same can be said of the workshops where locomotive construction is carried out. They could turn out twice as many engines without very much additional space being taken up, and only a few men extra would be employed. It is to be regretted that our Reform Government did not make a movo earlier in the day to enlarge the Newmarket Workshops so as to enable new locomotives to be built in this city, instead of offering some sort of an apology for their neglect and then giving as a sop, " that for future requirements this was being done.'* Watchftx.

Sir, —In your issue cf Saturday three correspondents severely I think, unjustly—criticise Mr. Massey and the Government for ordering railway engines from America. All must agree that the Government, knowing more about the circumstances than does the average man in the street, has been in a better position to judge. Some ignorance upon the part of your correspondents is shown by the fact that one of them mentions 10 engines as having been ordered, another 20, whilst I all three—with or without intent— wculd have us believe that the full number of engines required were ordered from America. It is a matter of fact, however, that the Government, at the same time, placed a larger order in England, and a still larger order in New Zealand. It is also a fact that the placing of this smallest order in America, meant a saving to us in cash of over £15,000. besides ensuring the quickest delivery that was possible to meet the demands of our busiest season of the year. These things are worth considering. But more is to be said. Most people seem to imagine that provision for ho Christmas holiday season is the greatest tax upon our railway Tolling stock. Some knowledge of the extent of the goods traffic, especially about Easter time, would open their eyes. One correspondent speaks scornfully about Mr. Massey's "college-bred colleagues'' as though he would prefer the Prime Minister to choose men without education. Another would have us believe that all American-ma-da goods are brummagem—the derivation of which word directs the same sort of opprobrium to England, Indeed, it is to be deplored that in the matter of shoddy goods we can no longer afford to throwstones at America. But the quality of the railwnv engines is assured. They must be built according to specifications ; they must be examined, rebuilt, tested, and passed, before they can be paid for or placed in commission. These thincrs afford, not only a safeguard as to quality of the engines, but an additional reason for expedition in the building. The same correspondent, speaking. perhaps, at random, finds fault with the Baldwin locomotives built for New Zealand " a few rears ago"—and. presumably, ordered bv a* previous Government. But who will venture to say that the locomotives in use in the United States cannot hold their own with anv others in the world Baldwin engine's have drawn passenger trains upon She Wellington-Mana-watu Railway at 50 miles an hour end light trains at over 60 miles per hour. Can your correspondent point to any other make of engine in New Zealand that has done likewise? Mr. Massey lias so far been perfectly frank in his statements concerning this order placed in America Re. has more important duties to perform than to argue questions about the irrevocable past with the many ]>eople who are wise after the event. But, when < liargcd with impropriety, he made an explanation. And his detractors, instead of examining that explanation or inquiring further, at once seized upon the French proverb aner.t excuse, which is quite out of place in the circumstances. I feel satisfied that, with all the essential facts made known, reasonable people will acquit Mr. Massev of any wrens; doing in this matter. America, like most other nations, has displayed a vacillating spirit in regard to Germany's actions. We "nave a duty towaidt; other countries as well as to our « v.n Empire. It is bid policy to treat •.km as enemies till we know 0 '. they are so. And it is not right to condemn a whole nation because of the behaviour of one of its subjects, e.g., Woodrow Wilson Our dissatisfaction with America, tin ugh it may have started months back, i-; mainly of very recent growth, and is based probably more upon last week's ?n----i ouncement of the (Tnitcd states President's congratulatory message to our arch enemy, the Kaiser, than tr>on anything else. We must not forget that these much-discussed locomotives were negotiated for. not yesterday, but some considerable time back. In the ramp way it wruld be grossly unfair for us to hunt up I old records and charge some past Governi ment with treachery because of its patron,age of German goods. 'Otahuhu Frkd.t. R. Fifld.