The Daily News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1929. RAILWAYS REPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1929, Page 8

The Daily News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1929. RAILWAYS REPORT.

Gi’oss income showing an increase of £223,437 and interest charges alone showing an increase of £200,468, are salient facts in the annual report of the Minister of Railways- Over all, the deficit on account of revenue and expenditure during last year was £432,743, an increase of £141,291, and if to this were added the subsidy received on account of unproductive lines the deficit is nearly -a million sterling. Goods traffic produced better results by £165,999 than those of the previous year, but passenger revenue showed a further decline of £20,550. If this were an isolated instance of smaller passenger traffic the position would not be so serious, but, as the Minister (Hon. W. B. Taverner) says, as compared with pre-war time's the revenue is down by some £600,000. The Minister’s report and that of the . General Manager must be regarded more in the light of a statement from the railway point of view than a dispassionate review of the whole position. Mr. Taverner is exceedingly cautious in regard to new work. He justifies the abandonment of the Palmerston North deviation, speaks with qualified assurance in regard to the new workshops, and is emphatic that it would be unwise to lay down now any programme of works that may take years to carry out. In this last conclusion he will probably find, general support. In countries where railway systems are considerably older and more established than in New Zealand it is admitted that railway matters are so uncertain that policy can, at best, only apply to the immediate future. The same applies to the Dominion, and it is well that it is recognised by those in authority. The crux of the whole matter is, of course, the competition of motor vehicles with railborne traffic. Inquiry is being made to see whether by the use of suitable rolling stock more mobility can be given to railway transport- Rail-cars have given a certain amount of satisfaction, and have reduced running costs in other countries. They are to be examined* by an expert officer of the department, and, if found adaptable to New Zealand conditions, will probably be given a trial. Considerable interest will be felt in Taranaki in regard to night train services. The development of these is bne way in which it is thought the railways may be able to compete on fairer terms with the motor-cars. If travellers can travel in comparative comfort through the night, and so be fit to attend to their affairs during the day following a«' long journey, then, there is little question but that they will prefer the means of transport enabling them to save day time at present wasted in travelling. There is no better opportunity for the extension of night train services than between Wellington and Taranaki, and it is satisfactory to note that this is recognised by the department, Mr. Taverner and the General Manager (Mr. H. 11. Sterling) both agree that as conditions stand to-day there is little hope of the railways winning back the passenger traffic of which it onee had almost a monopoly. They plead for a reorganisation and coi ordination of the two systems of | transport, though not much indi- | cation is given of the methods by which this could be brought about. Referring to the commercialising of the railways, Mr. Sterling stresses the point that in a Stateowned system commercialisation can only proceed so far as public policy will allow. He stresses the indirect benefits of the railway services in the development of the Dominion, benefits which it is difficult to assess in pounds, shillings and pence- Above all, he reminds the taxpayer that the decision to extend the system does not rest w T ith the railways. It is a part of the policy of the Government of the day, and all the railway officials can do is to operate the system as well as is possible. Last year’s increased deficit was principally due to the absorption of new lines that ai’e non-payable directly, whatever may be the indirect benefits to the districts they serve. Though Mr. Sterling is careful to eschew anything like criticism of Ministerial policy, his reference to the effect it must have upon railway administration is very plain. Put briefly, recent extensions have reduced rather than increased nett railway revenue. In the face of such results the Government is contemplating further additions to the railway system. It is little wonder that the chief executive officer is saying quite, plainly that if the policy of further extension proves as costly as recent additions to the system the railway department must not be blamed. Be this as it may, it is the unfortunate taxpayer who will have to make good any deficit. It might be well for him to false a hand in amending a policy that has so many elements of danger.

• FARM LANDS IN BOROUGHS. , It was a wis& decision to refer the Urban Farm Lands Rating Bill to a committee in order that municipal authorities may have tlie opportunity of stating their views. -There is no doubt that some method of affording relief to small farmers who are being crippled by heavy municipal taxation is urgently needed. At the same time the provisions of the Bill are bound to interfere with the finances of local bodies, and it is fair that this should have consideration when legislation is being framed. There is no political party question about the Bill. It is the outcome of recommendations made by a commission set up by the Reform Government, and the findings of the commission were arrived at after personal investigation of the position in certain boroughs, Otaki and Feilding. Tt is noteworthy that it is from Feilding that protests against some of the provisions of the Bill now before Parliament have come. That municipality has had actual experience of the differential rating on areas within a borough, and sees considerable weakness in the methods proposed. There is no gainsaying the fact that relief is required. There are towns in the province of Taranaki in which farmers are being rated for improvements they did not desire, and which in no way increase the productiveness or profitableness of their holdings. There are also, of course, the interests of t'ho general ratepayer to be borne in mind. By referring the Bill to a committee interested parties have the opportunity of stating their side of the case. If they fail to take the chance of doing so they can scarcely complain if it is assumed that the proposals in the Bill are held to be satisfactory.