SUNDAY TRAINS AGAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 24 February 1949, Page 9

SUNDAY TRAINS AGAIN

Press Assoclatlon)

Railwaymen Willing To •• Do More

(Per

WELLINGTON, Feb. 23. Sunday train services are to be restored as soon as possible, and as Irequently as possible, on tb.e Welling-ton-Palmerston North, Auckland- Hamilton, Christchurch-Timaru and Dune-din-Oamarn routes. "In order to prdtect my men, I am bound to make quite clear to the public tnat it is not likely that Sunday picnie trams can be run and add further to the burden the men will be carrying,' ' said the -Minister of Railways (Mr. semple) today, when announcing the mtention to expand the service. Occasionally, he said, it might be found possible to fit in a trip with crews, who would be on duty, in any event, and there nnglxt be instances where certain workers, such as tramwayinenj could not liold a weekdav gatkeriug without upsetting normal transport. In such cases, applications would be cousidered ou tlieir nierits. There were a nuniber of trains whicb he and all railwaymen would like to see running, said Mr. Seanple. He, kowr'ever, had to have regard for the health aiid welfare of liis men, who had for a considerable time past been working longer hours than he cared to see thern doing. Bound experience, as well as the passiug of examinations, were required before drivers could go out iu charge of expresses and fast passeuger traius, and those essential qualifications could be acquired only by practical applieation over a long period of years. Haviiig regard to the extra straiu that would be iuvolved, he could uot permit advantage to be talcen of the iovalty of those men by running an unreasonable number of additional trains. Staff Situation Today 's forward survey of the stalf situation indicated that it would be some cojisiderable time before substautial bettermeut could be cxpected. Electrilication of the dense traffic areas aud, if practicable, the hilly sectious of the railway systein, should assist Llie manpower position through the combined factors of oue-mau control of certain trains and with better liauiage eapacity, faster performances over grades. It vvas not only locomotive men of whom there was a sliortage. On the operating side there were deficieucieS' of guards, shunters, and signalmen. The general mauager liad been discussing the question of additional trains with him, following a series of talks he had had with locomotive luon's representatives, said Mr. Semple. lle had been told that the men were keen to make it possible for the administration to provide adequate sei'vices and to lielp the Department build up its revenue. "With overseas coal and fuel oil at such a high price, aud uuder the preseut tariff of fares aud freights," comiiiented the Minister, "it takes a stout heart to persevere with the task of trying to counter the heavy burden which these costs impose, particularly vvheu it uecessitates the stalf 's acceptauce of further iuereases in their hours of duty." The railwaymen had indicated their willingness to do even more, said Mr. semple, and their loyalty would not be presumed upon. He was proud of it, and grateful. Referring to the projected Sunday trains, Mr. Semple instanced the Wellington -Palmerston North run as an example. It was considered that with large hospitals in each of those cities and the sanatorium at Otaki it would contribute to the pleasure of patients aud friends to have their Sunday visits facilitated.