THE RAILWAYS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11515, 22 February 1909, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS.

STATEMENT' BY MINISTER

(Special to

DUNEDIN, this day. Asked by a Star j reporter to elaborate his remarks, made 'at, the Garrispn Hall' ,on Friday night, -with aespect to reduced services on non-paying lines, the Minister of Railways said that it would be impossible to cease Tunning ! -altogether ott them r He is already making enquiries as to how few trains will suffice to cope- with the traffic on them. He has ascertained "the extra trains were put on owing to the representations that the traffic waranted it. In districts where the population is increasing, .and it is shown that the facilities are- below requirements, he will put on extra trains from time to time. Without particularising, !Mr Miliar' said' that he had already stopped four of the superfluous train., and was making enquiries into a number of others. y \y Questioned about the indication given aa to the prospects of increased rates, tho Minister aiid: "Our lohg-dfetaiice fares are such that for any distance over 150 miles you can travel (secondclass) at one penny .- j)j*(?7 ril}le. Take Auckland to ■ tyJeHihg%tiJ -W 'mHes, and I think the JarefMs oi^o-SSs/ There is no need to take a'wiiy ariy'Of the privileges already granted tb the travelling public, and I aim.' in hopes that by redlucing the number of non-paying lines, and by economies effected by the acquisition of the. Miihawatu lirie, arid -the completion of th© Miiin Trunk line,' neither the lone-distance freights hor the concession m freights gi-anted to farmers, etc., will need to.be interfered with. At ahy rate,, after twelve months' ex-, perience under the- more favorable- condi ? tions, I sliall.be better able to form an opinion of what, our railways are capable of doing." ; . >; ... , -