RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 36

RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT.

MORE BUSINESS WANTED. GENERAL MANAGER OPTIMISTIC. WELLINGTON, September 17. Speaking at the annual smoke concert of the accountants’ branch of the railways service on . Saturday, Mr H. H. Sterling (general manager) said. a great deal had been said around the epigramatic phrase of making the railways pay. In the common acceptance of the term, he could not do that. The country must have a transport service, and the owners must be prepared to sink something in its development. -They were sure of a realisation on their investment,-but might not reap it until some years hence. He said he had the greatest faith in the country. He gave whole-hearted backing to the statement that the railways wanted business, but business that paid. In discussing freights with a prominent local body man, he said he had refused to consider carrying goods below rates at which they could possibly be remunerative. “If you find it cheaper by road, then let the Toss lie where it falls. Why should the railways take it up td save the roads? ” Mr Sterling paid a warm tribute to the work accomplished by the railwaymen.