RAILWAY MATTERS.

White Ribbon, Volume 27, Issue 313, 18 July 1921, Page 4

RAILWAY MATTERS.

Many of our Unions have sent resolutions re drinking on trains, etc., and ail will Ik* interested in the following letter from the General Manager of Railways: Head Otticc, Wellington, 19th May, 1921. Madura, —With further reference to your letter of 13th ultimo, addressed to the Minister of Railways, which has been referred to me, conveying the resolutions passed at the Annual Convention of the Womens Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand, regarding tin* consumption of intoxicating liquor on trains, and expressing satisfaction at the work of the attendants on the ladies’ cars, I have the honour to inform you that the existing by-laws give the Department extensive powers to deal with persons who art intoxicated or who behave in an offensive manner while travelling by train, and as far us these powers permit special efforts have been made by the Department to ensure that the comfort and convenience of passengers shall be undisturbed. Prom the absence of complaint and the observations of the Department’s ofti cei*s, I am able to conclude that these efforts have been very successful. The matter of framing a by-law *o regulate the consumption of liquor on trains has not been lost sight of but it opens up a very wide question, which it has found ‘he present statutory powers of the Department are not loquate to deal with Further legislation w'll hr necessary to enable the by-law to In* made really effective, and tin* mattei has been noted for action in this dine

tion when a favourable opportunity presents itself. I am pleased to learn that the work of the iemale attendants on the cars on the Main Trunk trains is appreciated, and the suggestion of your Convention in this regard will receive careful consideration. —I have the honour to be. Madam, your obctlii nt servant, R. W. McVILLY, General Manager. Miss C. Henderson, 8.A., Cor. Sec. W.CT.fJ. of N.Z., Sumner, Christchurch.