SUBURBAN TRAIN SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 21

SUBURBAN TRAIN SERVICE.

WELLINGTON, January 29. Mr Herriee states" that the Cabinet has given consideration to the question of suburban trains. The reduction of the men required for each reinforcement and 'the dropping of ona or more drafts make it possible for the Defence Department to refrain from calling up a certain numbor of men from those railwaymen who have been balloted for and who would have gone into camp in a month or so. The Cabinet therefore decided that there should be a limited restoration of suburban week-day and evening train services as far as the number of men released will permit. The Cabinet also decided that .all other train restrictions in force shall stand as at present. Notice will bo given shortly of the proposed timetable, wnich may come/ into operation in about a fortnight. Any such time-table will be liable to readjustment or termination if the exigencies of military service or shortage of coal require the curtailment of the train services. The department has released for service over 7000 men, and at the present moment there is a shortage of 4300 men on the trained staff. Since the cut in May 2150 men have been, or are duo to be, sent into camp, which is more than was expected when the cut was made. The whole of the fit men in the First Division of the railway service will bo exhausted, with the exception of 20 or 30 experts, when the drafts due to go into camp in March and April have gone. NO NECESSITY FOR REDUCTION. > (Feom Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 29. Tho explanation, doubtless furnished by the department, through the Minister, for the resumption of the suburban train services does not set out the true reasons for the resumption of the services. There are still First Division men in the Railway Department who have been drawn in the ballot, but who are held because the department has claimed that it has need of them, and eomo of the men protected by the departmental ballot are simply olerks, whose plnoes would have to be taken by substitute labour in any other service. The restoration of the services is proof that in the present opinion of the Government there never has been less than sufficient men to give the public a much better service than that which they have had to put up with for many months. Although a considerable number of men lwtve been released since the cut in the train services was made, it is now stated that a partial restoration of the reduced services is to be made.