THE RAILWAY CUT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16496, 5 August 1921, Page 7

THE RAILWAY CUT.

SCHOOL CHILDREN NOT AFFECTED. TRAFFIC RETURNS STILL DECLINING. (Per Press A ssooiatton A WELLINGTON, August o. Details of the amended railway timetable are to be announced in the various districts this week. In reply to criticism that the reduction in the daily trains will be a serious business lor school the Hon D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Railways), states that the requirements of school children had been very fully considered by the Government before the reduci ion in the services was finally approved. The Department was doing its best to reduce interference with education to a minimum. There were cases where the withdrawal of trains used bv children attending schools could not bo avoided, but he was satisfied that the least possible inconvenience was being inflicted upon young people. The saving to be effected up to the end of November by the reduction of the services was estimated at LI GO,OOO. or at the rate of roughly £35,000 a year. tl Recent returns show that traffic was still declining, and the I>epartment cannot know when this decline will be checked. Then the reduction of services will involve some loss of revenue, though probably not very much, since the traffic will tend to accommodate itself to tho new timetable. It is not anticipated that the amended time-table will involve the reduction of the railway staff. It will involve some reduction in the earnings of railwayman., since the amount of overtime worked on many lines would be very much reduced. Savings will consist largely -of a reduced consumption of coal and stores and reduced wear and tear. Reduced train mileage will mean reduced maintenance charges and other savings.**