RECKLESS SPENDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22936, 14 January 1938, Page 13

RECKLESS SPENDING

Sir, —I would like to stress a few facts about tbo railway now being built, and to bo called the South Island Main Trunk. If anything further is necessary to expose the wilful waste of constructing this useless addition to oiy- financial burdens, the following figfces are conclusive:— For passengers: Present facility is steamer between Wellington and Lyttelton, leaving every evening at 7.30 and arriving Lyttelton in time to connect with train reaching Christchurch 7.21 a.m.; cost, including a comfortable berth, first class, 27s 6d; second, 20s. Rail to Christchurch, Is 3d and lOd. Total fare, Wellington to Christchurch, 28s 9d first and 20s lOd second class. New facility via Picton and new railway: Time cannot be definitely stated, as thero is not any actual time-table, but, provided the train travels at usual express speed of New Zealand, railways, tlie journey will tako 12J hours. The steamer will reach Picton about 11 p.m. The seasick passengers will then transfer to the train and undertake a journey of 217 miles. Fare: Steamer, 20s (does not include a berth). I am not sure whether there is a second class. Rail fares: First, 27s lid: second, 19s Id. These fares do nob include a sleeper—such would cost 20s first or 15s second extra; and sleepers will be necessary if any but the strongest travellers are to arrive in good health. Is it in the least probable that any sane person will prefer travel by this uncomfortable new service at a cost just 66 per cent greater; or, if a sleeper be taken. 136 per cent greater than by its moro attractive competitor? Now consider goods: Present cost by steamer, 25s per t°n weight or measurement at ship's option. Pail. Lyttelton to Christchurch, from 2s 3d to 8s 9d, at the fancv of the railway —say, an average of 5s 6d—total cost, 30s 6d. Cost via Picton and new railway: Steamer, 23s per ton. Railway, from 16s 8d (for such essentially useful articles as broken bricks or pieces of old retorts, Milestone—but only if for use _as a blight specific—spent oxide of iron, tussock grass, etc.\, to £5 0s 7d —say, an average of £2 18s 7d, or n, total of £4 Is 7d a ton, from Wellington to Christchurch. Where does our Government hope to get a supply of customers preferring to pay £4 rather than 30s? Of all schemes ever undertaken bv reckless folly this so-called South Island Main Trunk railway stands unrivalled. E. Eable Vailb.