CHEAPER SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 81, 2 October 1931, Page 8

CHEAPER SERVICE

WILL PUBLIC RESPOND ?

Will the public respond 'to the rail; ways reduced fares, and bring an added railway business that will help to keep railwaymen in their jobs? In the current issue of the "New Zealand1 Railways Magazine,?' the General Manager of Railways sends to staff and public the following message: •' A matter of outstanding import^, ance affecting the public in their association with the railways is the decision which was recently announced by the Government Railways Board to make a reduction in ordinary fares by rail. The reduction is a substantial one and represents a lead by the Government Railways Board in the direction of reducing costs. It is realised on all hands that an essential factor in the solution of the present economic difficulties is reduction of costs, and it is to be hoped that the lead, given by the board in this direction will have the effect of increasing the rate of reduction of costs all round. The board fully realised the important issues that were involved in its action, and it came to its decision in the confident belief that the public generally will appreciate its action and that that appreciation will be manifested by an increased use of'the railways for passenger travel. The of the board's action lies with the public, and the board confidently appeals to the public to respond to the board's endeavour to provide comfortable at bedrock prices by affording the Railway Department their patronage and thus enabling the board'to maintain fares at the lowest possible level. "In connection with the internal working of tho Department important decisions have also been made by the board affecting, the staff. These decisions involved some alteration of working conditions as well as the retirement of some of the staff. The board gave the whole matter most anxious consideration before the, decisions were arrived at. Every business management is loath to interfere with the working conditions of the staff or to have to pay off employees. Haying-regard to the. condition of the Department's business, however, the board felt that no option was really left to it and that unless something was done along the lines of the., decisions there was likely to be a reactive effect to the detriment of the staff generally. The matter of reducing staff was the cause of particular anxiety to the board. It was imperative, that something should be done to adjust the staff more nearly to the requirements of the business, and the board believes that the principles which it has laid down in that connection will permit of ; the adjustment being made in a way that will cause the minimum of hardship. The board has appreciated the attitude of the employees generally in the very difficult position which has arisen and it desires to assuro them of its sincere desire to avoid hardship and to make it known that any suggestion that may be submitted to the board having that end in view will receive the most sympathetic consideration."