RAILWAY RATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 5

RAILWAY RATES.

NO REDUCTION POSSIBLE. (Fhom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The Minister of Railways was asked today bv Mr Myers whether he would this session recommend the Government to introduce legislation allowing children to travel free on the Government railways up to five years of age and at quarter rates from five to 14 years. Mr Herries replied as follows:—“The raising of the age at which children are carried free over the railways and the reducing of the rate for the conveyance of passengers between the ages of five and 14 years would involve a very serious loss of revenue, which, in view of the increased cost of operating, the department cannot afford at present.” Mr Herries also stated, in reply to Mr pavey, that it was not considered desirable "to alter the regulations governing the issue of railway passenger tickets. The recent convictions were the result of persons transferring concession tickets and so defrauding the revenue of the department. The railway regulations provided for the issue of a* transferable and nontransferable ticket under conditions that were laid down in the tariff, and an extra charge was imposed for transferable tickets.