The Daily News. RAILWAY FACILITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. RAILWAY FACILITIES.

It is satisfactory to learn that the General Manager of Railways is sensible of the urgent need for doing something to relieve the disabilities under which Taranaki importers are laboring, also that he is sympathetic towards improving the provincial train services and speeding up the mail train. To the deputation which waited upon him in Wellington on Friday he gave a sympathetic hearing, and he promised to visit the district at an, early date and see things for himself on the spot. It is also gratifying to learn that the Railway Department has a proper 1 conception of the possibilities of the port and the district generally, and, in the new plans that have been prepared, are making adequate provision for future development. Mr. McVilly confessed that iii the past the Department had underestimated the growth of the trade of the district, but stated it was not going to err again in this way in connection with the present plans, which were designed to meet the needs for very many years. This fault of designing and building for the present, and not for the future, is, of course, not confined to the Railway Department. It is apparent on all sides. But it is one that should never again be repeated, especially by the Railway Department, which has paid, and will continue to pay, very heavily for its shortsightedness in the past. The General Manager definitely committed himself to extending the New Plymouth goodshed and improving its facilities. That is something to be thankful for. For a long time past the congestion there has been acute, and the consequent delay has'caused considerable loss and inconvenience. The stiff charges on the port traffic have been a bone of contention for years.* There is no reason why local importers should have to pay under' the old tariff at the rate of Is per ton per mile when the charge on the Lvttel-ton-Chi'istchurch line, admittedly one of the most costly sections in the Dominion, should be but 7 2-7 d per ton per mile. The. Manager promised to go into this matter. For years Taranaki has borne with a railway service that has fallen far short of requirements, and the Department has done very little to assist in the province's development. The Department, it would seem, is conscious of this fact, and has special officei's now engaged in investigating and reporting upon the possibilities of improving this and other main services. To speed up the mail train is a matter of urgency. This rian only be done by cutting oujt the minor stopping places. To carry this out would entail another train ahead, collecting the passengers and leaving them at central points. There should be no difficulty in doing this in Taranaki. The 7.43 train from New Plymouth to Hawera might be despatched from New Plymouth at 7 o'clock, and reich Hawera at 10, stopping at the various stations, and picking up through passengers. At present this train is neither one thing nor the other. For passengers it is practically useless, l as it is too slow and uncertain. The time has come for a separation of passenger from goods traffic, and it is hoped this point will continue to be stressed. It is necessary, however, if anything is lo be done in this connection that Taranaki should show a unit ; ed front, and we hope the various Chambers of Commerce in the province will come together before the General Manager arrives, go fully into the matter, and decide upon a policy acceptable to all. and in the best interests of Taranaki. The present New Ply-ifiouth-Wellington mail train falls Far short of other express trains. Why, we cannot understand, but the time is opportune to seek an improvement. The General Manager expressed to the deputation the belief that the train would lie steam heated by next winter, This is something, but better carriages, easier running, greater engine power, lavatories that are not an offence to the senses, are essential and should be provided before the service can be considered, satisfactory.