RAILWAY EARNINGS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15321, 17 September 1920, Page 4

RAILWAY EARNINGS.

Wellington; tin* day. Though the coal cut caused a curtailment of railway -Services last' year, the Department's annual report shows that tho revenue of £5,752.487 exceeded tlie expenditure by £1,647,420,. showing an increase of £763,855, returning 4.65 per cent." on the capital invested, as compared with 4.53 per cent, m the previous year. "Having regard to the world wide unsettled conditions .that exist as, a consequence of the war, and the impossibility of fo/ecasting when normal circumstances will . be prudence compels me," states the* Minister of Railways, "to adopt a conservative view m respect to the railway revenue and expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1921. I anticipate, however, that the revenue will bo £6,000,000, and the expenditure £4,612,500. 'it is a matter oL regret that circumstances have precluded any material progress being made with important essential works proposed m 1914. Lack of accommodation results m congestion of traffic, and is a serious obstacle to successful operations." The general manager's report gives detailed information. Be states that m the past five years the revenue has increased by £1,647,030. There is every indication that this rate of increase will be maintained.* It is therefore imperatively necessary that the railway improvement scheme of/ 1914 should be vigorously pushed on. The Department could find regular employment for at ', le^ five y ears ior 2&o ° smtablo men, , Tne report foreshadows tho grant of a special allowance to superannuated . railwaymen to meet tho increased cost I of living.— Parliamentary Reporter