LIMITED EXPRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 9

LIMITED EXPRESS

W AS SAFE AS A CHURCH" MR COATES LAUGHS AT SPEED CRITICSThe well-thrashed question of the safety of the “Limited" express which runs between Wellington and Auckland was raised by Mr Bartram, who said there was serious unrest iq the public mind Summed up, the allegations were that experienced travellers decline to travel on it; that it was common talk among railwaymen that it was nqfc safe; that the Prime Minister would not make use of the train; and that Mr McVilly’s resignation was due, in part, at least, to his unwillingness to accept responsibility for the train under the new schedule. Mr Bartram remarked that ho would like it understood that he was merely bringing these views before the House, not that he held with them. However, he would like to know if the Minister would make a statement to allay any public anxiety there was. The Hon. Mr Coates described the question as quite trivial, and added that he knew the views contained in the question were not those of Mr Bartram. Possibly they emanated from some railwAymen. Mr Parry: No. ' 1

Mr Crates said he did not mean drivers and firemen, but some other men in the service might have been talking. However, wherever he could lie was going to speed up the trains. (Hear, hear.) The statement respecting the resignation of Mr McVilly was wrong; the “Limited" had nothing to do with it.

Mr Hanan: He was for a day limit ed.

Mr Coates: Yes. that is quite true. It wm derided to put on a daylight train in November.

Mr Coates added that lie had mad* several trips on the “Limited," but did not use it frequently, as a Minister with his entourage occupied rather much room* in a limited train. Hr did not think the train was unsafe. R> had. travelled much faster on the lino had Imocked hours off the trip. Tlk ‘‘Limited" might have to be made <* little smaller and speeded up a bi+ but the soeed would be adjusted on ce !> tain sections of the line. That utnik) cotv>e the daylight exorcss come “The ‘Limited’ is not unsafe." he concluded, “she’s as safe as a church."