SUBURBAN TRAIN SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 5 June 1918, Page 4

SUBURBAN TRAIN SERVICES

MINISTER REPLIES TO COMPLAINTS. . By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Juno 4. A deputation representing residents ; along tho northern suburban lines waited on the Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, with a complaint regarding the service, particularly in reference to the inadequate carriago accommodation, the slowness of travelling, and tho unduly high fares. The Minister said the urgent need at Home was man-power, and if he were asked to further deplete the railway stafF and curtail services ho would not' hesitate to do so. Mr. Parr: What about superannuated men ? The Minister: -Wo have writteh to every superannuated man who has left the service, and wo are trying to get as many back as possible, and the same with returned soldier?, though unfortunately most' of the returned soldiers are too greatly-disabled to use. "We shall soon have to decide," added Mr. Ilerries, "wliat we are going to do with. our married men. Wo have already seiit 7000 single men away, .and are nearly.4ooo men short now of the complement, so we. have dono as much . as' we possibly can in giving you back two suburban night trains." As soon as the war Was over Mr. Hi ley's scheme would be put into operation to enable an all-round improvement in suburban services. A great deal of money would have to be spent in the North Ifjand. especially in duplication work and straightening lines, and opportunity would be presented for the of a large number of returned soldiers.