THE RAILWAYS.

Evening Star, Issue 20138, 1 April 1929, Page 6

THE RAILWAYS.

ro TUB EDITOR* Sir, —On the New Zealand railways E havo travelled a good deal. If the New Zealand Government wish to make the railways popular they must not only cheapen fares, but make their carriages cleaner and improve greatly their ventilation. I havo no hesitation in stating that of all the railways i have travelled on these are the second worst. With a full car they aro terribly stuffy. In my opinion they should copy the design of the latest Canadian Pacific railway, those being the finest railway passenger cars in the world. The round top of the present New Zealand Government carriages, with a few round funnel ventilators, is insufficient to ventilate a carriage properly. What is wanted is the raised top of the Canadian pattern, with side ventilators. Another change that 1 think would do good is to havo women carriage cleaners, so that the job may ho done properly. Most of the carriages are only given a lick and a promise. In these days when the railways have to compote with motor traffic, more attention is required to the little things that make for comfort in travelling, especially for long distances I would like also to point out that it is the second class passenger that pays on account of great numbers. Therefore the Government would do well to eater for the second class passenger. Big fares never pay so well as small faros and full trains, Rut if you fill the carriages and they arc stuffy, the discomfort caused will not make travel popular, however cheap the fares arc. I would suggest that the Government offer a decent prize for a competitive design for a first and second class railway carriage, open to all Now Zealanders who care to compete. The design should ho roomy, length and width suitable for the fift Gin gauge, with perfect ventilation and control and comfortable seating accommodation. —I am. etc., ruocuEKS N'.Z.