MAKING RAILWAYS PAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19320, 6 May 1926, Page 10

MAKING RAILWAYS PAY.

SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. SUCCESS OF NEW POLICY. EXTENDING FACILITIES. PROPOSED ROAD TRANSPORT. [BY TEXEGBATH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ' WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Has tho time arrived when the Railway Department would bo justified in undertaking road transport in localities where it is likely to be a sound economic proposition? This question was tho subject of serious debate at a couferenco held in Wellington or representatives of tho department's commercial branch. Tho members present unanimously agreed that the timo was opportune for such a departure. The conference was presided ovor by Mr. A. W. Mount and tho Primo Minister, who was in attendance in his capacity as Minister of Railways, opened tho proceedings. He expressed pleasure at tho results of tha efforts of tho commercial branch and urged members to explore every possible avenue of new businoss and to see that everything possible was done in the -way of giving good service to the public.

The conference discussed special excursions to meet public requirements and tho stimulating of-new business. It was decided to reintroduce excursions which proved successful. A new idea for giving farmers and others facilities for exchange of -visits between their respective districts as at show times is to bo tried, and it was decided to continue tho practice of representatives of tho commercial branch attending the various shows as decidedly beneficial results had been obtained by personal contact in that direction. The introduction of tho "red cap" porters was discussed and tho experiments which have been carried out at Wellington and -Auckland wero favourably reported upon. It was decided to recommend the- extension of tho system. Suggestions were advanced in regard to tho use of tho rail motors and proposals were made tor their use/in conjunction with the employment of steam trains and road motors. It was reported that tho department had now linked up with carriers at practically every station in New Zealand where it was advisable and possible to do so, and that the department was now in a position to quote cartage rates et most stations.

The effect of commercialising the department was discussed and it was reported that tho staff had readily responded and tha.t the corporation of all branches of the service had accompanied the efforts to improve matters. Not only those actually coming in contact with the public in connection with tho transit of passengers and goods had worked as business getters, but men on the track, locomotive men and others had also done a great deal to foster good relationships between the department and the public.