SUBURBAN RAILWAYS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1422, 24 April 1912, Page 4

SUBURBAN RAILWAYS.

MR. MYERS OUTLINES HIS POLICY*

(By Tolceraph—Press Association.) Auckland, April 23. A now policy with regard to suburban railway services was announced uy tua Minister for Railways (tho Hon. A. M. Myers) to-day in granting tho request of a deputation'for an increased servico between Auckland and l'aiiakura, a section of nineteen miles. Tlio cflcct of his statement was that (rain services for suburban areas should bo in advanco of traffic, in which they would induce ail increase. Mr. Myers stated that he intended to niako tho improvement of suliurlian railway services throligi>out_ tlio Dominion a featuro of his administration ot tho railways. (Applause.) Ho had recognised the importance of tho matter for many years, and 110 was convinced that tlio interests of the .people would bo conserved by tho provision of rapid and convenient transit between suburban areas and tho centres of population. The interests of town.and country worn interdependent, and intimately connected with tho matter of suburban railway services was tho grave question of housing tho workers, in tlio solution of which tho provision of transit facilities would be a factor of vital importance. In fact, the housing problem could not be solved until tho transport question was successfully attacked.

"I recognise that iho railways must ba conducted on business-liko lines," continued Mr. Mvers, "but tho system is owned b,v the State, and there arc other factors affecting tho interests of the community which are also deserving of consideration. (Hear, hear.) By providing for an assured traffic distinct commercial success would bo assured, but there aro other aspects of tho matter to bo considered." Mr. Myers added that an extension of suburban services would probably not pay immediately, ljut ho believed it would bo justified by tho increased settlement that would be induced by a more rapid and moro regular service.