The Daily News MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1930. RAILWAY PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1930, Page 8

The Daily News MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1930. RAILWAY PROBLEMS.

According to a promise given on Friday by the Acting Prime Minister, the House of Representatives will have an opportunity this afternoon to discuss the reports of the. Railways Commission on economical administration of the railways and the Railways Committee on the construction of new lines. The circumstances in which Mr. Ransom made his announcement unfortunately leave very much room for doubt as to whether the Government seriously desires assistance from members in order that it may frame a course of action in relation to the two reports. Not only has he arranged s to present other business to the House tonight but he has also decided to end the session on Thursday, and this means that this afternoon’s debate, lasting something less than three hours, will be the last ■word of the House concerning railways for eight or nine months. It is manifestly absurd , to suppose that in such a brief period members would cover the important points in either report and come to any definite expression of opinion. But perhaps clearcut decisions are just what the Government wishes to avoid. The report of the Railways Commission contains nothing that calls for a verdict from the House, dealing with matters that lie entirely within the province of the, Minister of Railways and his colleagues in the . Cabinet — matters that-should only be considered from the viewpoint of national needs and interests. But unless members change their methods parochial considerations are likely to be given undue prominence in debate, with the consequence that the discussion will lead nowhere, save to afford the Government a shadow of ait excuse for shirking its own duty. The proposals of the Railways Committee in regard to the construction of new lines should be most 1 important, provided the committee has been courageous, and it is entirely proper that they should be submitted to the opinion of the House. But if the Government honestly desired the views of members on its very big and costly programme of railway construction it ‘i surely would afford time for their expression. Is there any sound reason why Parliament should rise this week? If the session went on into. November members would not be away from their electorates too long. The second year of a Parliament is regarded as its working year, but the present session has produced a meagre result. No doubt the Minister of Education is anxious to resume—at considerable cost to the country—his self-glorifying tour of all the little schools in the Dominion. It is proposed also that the Minister of Labour, let us say, should visit each of the .unemployment relief camps and shake hands with every worker? Or does the Minister of Public Works require a long recess in order that he may spend a few weeks at each of the hydro-electric works in making up his mind as to the worth of Professor Hornell’s reports? Perhaps the Minister of Railways intends to dig out an old suit of overalls and spend the recess period “experimenting” with the Garratt locomotives. If any such reasons as these l lie behind the programme of haste, someone should make it dear to Ministers that the country expects far more than, this of them. Railway problems especially demand their very earnest attention. The Minister introduced certain railway economies on July 13, and the results for the month ended on September 13, announced last week, have been sadly disappointing. The gross receipts for the period were £547,31,1. and the operating expenses, apart from capital charges, £532,604. This

return as compared with that for the corresponding' period of last year shows a reduction of £45,547 in expenses, but the greater reduction of £51,239 in revenue. The preceding month’s .return showed that expenses had been reduced by £35,824, but the decline in revenue was £52,272. hi eight weeks revenue declined by £103,511, while expenses were reduced by £81,371. The position was worse in eight weeks to the extent of £22,000 than it was before the Minister began to economise. Obviously there is need for the application of more heroic remedies than have yet been at; tempted. So far as railway construction is concerned an apparently impotent House has authorised the expenditure of huge sums under the Public Works Estimates. Where is the money to come from? Customs revenue is declining because imports are being curtailed, and if the decline continues at the present rate — over £3,000,000 in the first six months of the financial year—the Government will have to face a deficit on March 31. Surely it is time for a serious effort to practise economy, for already the country is terribly overburdened with taxation. If members could help Ministers to formulate' adequate plans to meet the existing conditions they should all be willing to stay in Wellington .till Christmas. s !