IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 57, 1 December 1926, Page 11

IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA

AN M.P/S VISIT HIGH PRAISE FOR ELEC- ' TRIG TRAINS , Dominion Special. Auckland, November 30. “I am convinced that electric traction can do more than has ever been achieved by steam services in the matter of handling, suburban railway traffic,” was the opinion expressed by Mr. I W. A. Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui, who returned from Sydney’ by the Ulimaroa after a tour of Australia with the Empire l Parliamentary delegation. Sir.. ' Veitch, who has made a special study of railwav matters, closely observed • ■ the working of various railway services in the Commonwealth. He was in Melbourne at the time of the race

for the Melbourne Cup and was enthusiastic about the handling of the huge crowds travelling to the Flemington course. Throughout the rush hours of the day, electric trains were arriving every two minutes, discharging on an average 1500 passengers. These trains were made up of seven to eight carriages, three or four of these being “live” carriages sandwiched in between “dead” cars, the train being controlled from a cab at either end. From his own observations the trains discharged their passengers in from 32 to 35 seconds and immediately pulled away from the platform to make way for the following train. Mr. Veitch said that for speed, comfort and cleanliness these trains far excelled anything he had seen, and he 1 was of opinion that where there was ' I a massed population to be moved the electrically operated train had many advantages, over the older style of service. .

The deep impression made on the people of Australia by Lord Salisbury, leader of the delegation, was also referred to by Mr. Veitch. “Lord Salisbury did more good to the cause of the British Empire than even he himself realised,” said Mr, Veitch. “Whereever he went in Australia he was ad- , mired by the people, and even Labour people expressed their admiration. It gives one renewed faith in the Empire when you realise the character and ; high purpose of such men as Lord Salisbury.” “Australia is making great strides In the development of her secondary industries,” added Mr. Veitch, “but she is not doing as much for the encour- 1 agement of primary industries as I | think she might. There arc large areas of good land that could be developed, but the chief care seems to be ; for manufacturing interests. It .lias to ( be remembered that Australia suffers from an inadequate rainfall over vast areas, aud if it were not for this she could become the greatest country in the world. As it is, Australia is behind New Zealand in the development of her agricultural possibilities, just as we are behind her in the encouragement of secondary industries. To achieve their , ! greatest‘results, both countries require a combination of primary and secondary industrial progress. One is the j complement of the other, and 11 should be possible to bring this about.”