SUBURBAN TRAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18481, 18 August 1923, Page 10

SUBURBAN TRAINS.

USE OF ELECTRIC POWER. MINISTER INVESTIGATING. j ■■■:■■■;':■:■' -r<- : -.: : ---;- : : :■■-.■■-■ ■■;-;■■.■■.;■; •;.':,';■* '•■■' ! MEETING GROWTH OP CITIES i ______ j [BY ,* TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] !•/' ■ : : V ; : WELLINGTON. Friday. i';'": A full investigation of suburban railway electrification is promised by the Minister for Railways, Hon. J. 6. Coates, in his annual statement presented to tho House of Representatives to-day^ :,•■-?- | ; " The Government," he says. r,< recognises the advantages to the public and to the railway system, .'■ which the , utilisation of electric power on these busy lines would undoubtedly give. * Its aim is to keep de- | velopment in < this direction ; one of the first items in its railway policy. ''■" Already the Government has sought and obtained valuable material locally, and from other countries, to aid it in the schemes which are in preparation. During the year these reports will be reviewed and considered by departmental exp" ts with the department's proposals. It should bo possible then to decide whether it would be desirable from an economical i standpoint to electrify several of the services mentioned. Later, when all investigations have been made and a proper basis is arrived at, I propose making a statement indicating the action the Government, guided by experts in electricity, considers it advisable to take. *' The quickly-growing population of our cities and the tendency to over-crowding, coupled with the need for still further opening up unoccupied residential areas in the suburbs, are matters with which the Government is deeply concerned. There is a constant clamour for faster and more frequent services on the existing suburban lines. In dealing with these demands, I must consider what an extension, of the time-tables would mean, and if that extension would cause the population of the area to , which . the existing services now run, and of those which they would tap in the near future, to increase. " The department must view with favour the' question of extensions to existing lines, and the establishing of suburban services to localities -which have so far •not been settled residentiary. I think that such a policy should not be based on the immediate return, but with the ultimate object in view of the settlement so encouraged warranting the economical electrification of the train services. ' Where there is prospect of proceeding ahead with these objects .in view, there will be no hesitancy; on the part, of the Government in putting progressive proposals into operation."