THE RAILWAY RETURNS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7002, 18 January 1901, Page 2

THE RAILWAY RETURNS.

The railway i-eturjis for -the^ast-- month', as well as for the seven-monthly period which ended 1 on Jan: 's, are of a most satisfactory nature. During the month which closed on Jan. 5 the number of passengers carried was 114,951 >m excess of those carried during the corresponding period of the previous year, and the revenue showed an increase .of £6016. During the longer period the increase of passengers was 461,570 -compared with the. corresponding previous seven months, and the revenue showed an increase of £10,637. The increase in revenue would bo satisfactory, ; und'er any circumstances, but when it is . remembered that it is independeht ,of concessions in rates amounting to something like £60,000 which the Department granted rather more than six months ago, it becomes a matter for very hearty congratulation. Statistics, it is proverbial, are .misleading, but in this case tho Hpn J. G. Ward miay fairly claim that his figures prove beyond, dispute the wJsdom-of the policy which he inaugurated last year. Thaft-i policy, it will be remembered, was to concede as much to tho public as was : consistent with the effective management ,of the railways. It lias been given a trial. and'it hag/been apronounced success. The public now enjoy facilities' for travel, which . they never possessed previously -and they can travel more cheaply than they used to be able to. And yet, in spite of theSe changes and concessions the revenue 1 has increased considerably. We hope that the lesson taught by the latest returns will not be lost sight of by, the Minister. ; To us it implies that ..it will; be possible for the GC'veniin€<nt to .in-ake-further-. concession's and •.■to. ..-.offer, still greater encouragement to the public to use I' tliß'i'ailvyays. ; ' ■'■ ' '"' '.'.'• " .