RAILWAY MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11222, 30 May 1922, Page 6

RAILWAY MATTERS

MR M‘VILLY ON POLICY GENERAL MANAGER DETAILS DIFFICULTIES. SHOULD THE POSITION IMPROVE? Replying to a deputation at Dunedin, Mr R. W. McVilly, general manager of the New Zealand railways, said that he would much rather have a talk with people than hear growls from a distance or see nonsensical letters appearing in the public papers. With regard to the matter of the reduction of the expresses between Dunedin and Invercargill, none regretted more than he the necessity of reducing the number. But he could not hold out any immediate hone of their reinstatement until the financial position hid improved and the public generally were showing more disposition to travel. MANY DIFFICULTIES. Mr McVilly mentioned 'that no alterations or cuts were made on the railways until after much thought, and when the necessity recently arose, owing to -the financial condition, for radical alterations lie could tell them that it had occasioned him much anxiety for over a week to so allot the reductions over the whole Dominion as to occasion the least inconvenience to the public. He stressed the difficulties that had confronted the Railway Department during recent years, and particularly how the shortage of coal had necessitated the importation oi that commodity from abroad at enhanced' cost; and how all material for the railways had appreciated 1 in price. Then the wages item was such nowadays that additional revenue was absolutely necessary to meet the charges. Though he heid out no definite hope of the reinstatement of these trains, he said he Vould be as pleased as anyone when he could be in a position,to improve facilities. .... ( “A BIG QUESTION.” With .regard t;> the anomalies and the creation of a zone system on the -suburban sections, he admitted the anomalies, and said that this opened up a big. question that affected the whole policy of the Dominion, and at the present time he could promise no amelioration or alteration of that policy. Then, on the question of the incroases an the fares, -he admitted that perhaps on the face of it some sections might have been hit more than others, but when an increase in fares had to be brought about to provide more revenue the question -had to be viewed from the point of view of the whole Dominion; and when it was decided to impose the war taxes on to the fares it was felt that the imposition of a penny in the shilling or part thereof was the best way. This undoubtedly meant that the lower fares and secondclass travellers were paying a greater percentage than others; but, notwithstanding this, the increases on the Dominion railways were not so great as in other countries. Still, the matters brought forward by the speakers would not be lost sight of, and in any future rearrangement these points would be considered.