MORE REVENUE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20232, 16 February 1934, Page 5

MORE REVENUE.

Increased Business on the Railways. GOOD FUTURE PROSPECTS. Per Press Association. HANMER SPRINGS, Feb. 15. The chairman of the Railways Board, Mr H. H.- Sterling, addressed a meeting of newspaper proprietors today. He spoke of the results achieved in connection with the working of the : railways during the current year. He . said he anticipated that there would 1 be an increase in the net revenue for the year of something close to a quarter of a million pounds, so that the railways would pay to the Treasury by way of net revenue for the year approximately one million pounds. Mr Sterling dealt with the question of the safety of track and appliances, claiming that the track had been maintained at the highest possible standard Dealing with the publicity work of the Department, he said there had been great developments of activity ' and enrichment of ideas in this branch of departmental organisation. The possibilities of increased traffic through I the development of the tourist busiI ness was referred to, and Mr Sterling 1 j outlined some progressive ideas which j were being exploited. J Summarising the position, Mr Sterling said that the increase which had : • taken place in business had been fairly ‘ | general. It had been largely contri- , ; buted to by increased production in 1 the primary industries. On the pas- 1 senger side there had been very gratifying results from the steps which had < been taken to develop that part of the < business, this being shown by the in- 1 creased revenue from fares and the patronage which had been given to 1 suitable services. Altogether, said Mr Sterling , he • thought the future was a bright one. 5 The president, Mr C. W. Earle, gave 5 an address on the relation of the Press to the public and public affairs. 1