SHOULD THE RAILWAYS PAY?

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12615, 18 November 1911, Page 5

SHOULD THE RAILWAYS PAY?

/Special to Herald,)

, AUCKLAND, this day. Addressing a deputation which waited on him regarding suburban railways, Sir J. Findlay said it was impossible to deal with the question without determining first whether At was to be ji policy of the Government . that our railways should pay at least the rate of interest on the amount* involved over and above running expenses, or whether we as people were to be content with producing something less than that by our railways. If it were to be a policy principle that the full rate of interest must be obtained over all running expenses, then this question of expenditure became a. vital and •conclusive one; but if our railway policy was to improve the service and facilities -«t any cost, then the request of the deputation had reasonable claims to consideration. " I take the view," vexnai'ked the Minister, "that the Railway Department should be prepared to make a loss where an improvement will mean benefit to the Dominion as a whole. Personally, I decline to make any promise as a. Minister, beyoiid saying that when Cabinet next meets, I will place before it the strong view which you have put before me." (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Hon. J. ,A. Millar desires the following correction to be made in a report of his speech wired from Dunedin on -Wednesday : "In the report of my speech, in that portion dealing with the railways, I am made to say that the railways did not pay. I never made any such statement . and the reports in the Otago Daily Times and Star will verify this, f have repeatedly, both in Parliament and in< the country, said the railways hod now reached a paying point, and the railways .statement makes this very clear. What 1 did say was that if the railways did not pay any deficiency would have to be paid ou*. of the consolidated fund. Ti shall be obliged if you will make the necessary correction."