N.Z. RAILWAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1923, Page 4

N.Z. RAILWAYS.

INCREASE JX NET PROFITS. RAILWAY .MOTOR TRAINS TO BE TRIED. WELLINGTON. Aug. 17 The Railways Statement which has been tabled in the House of Representatives, shows how the position of the Dominion railways has continued to improve following the slump period. The improvement is illustrated by lue •" crease of percentage of profit to capita’, invested from ‘-1 Is 5d per cent to T-i (Is 10d per cent during the year, the increase of net earnings pci a\etag> mile, from UI.TI to CIOs, of net earnings per train mile from I L-V-’d to r.cmrly and of the fall in the per-,-entage of working expenses to earnings Horn Ofl.SO to bi-70 per cent which is the same as the UHL figure. Bln. feature of the statement thnl will have the widest appeal to tie; people, is the indication that at th< terminal ion of the present Parliament nrv session, the tariff will he reviewed The Minister acknowledges that relie

-iambi he (ir.st given from the increased 1 ,-au e of passenger fares, and parcels ' and goods charges that were imposed J ;l „ a necessity during the war period. ’ Dealing with the competition of : motor trallie. the report slates thnl a , proposal is in hand to obtain motor vehicles in Conjunction with the rail- ‘ wavs. Experimeals in motor trams are also to be l ril'd. Elc-i rifieiit ion of Mihurhan lines is the stih|M’i'l of instruct ivo comment ami progressive proposals art- promised Every railway settlement will be a gnr-il-n settlement if the Minister's wishes me earned out in connexion with an expansile policy oi bousing of the railway v. in kers. The Minister iitstilios by tile results achieved, the appointment of the two i ommercial agents. Tin- Minister, at the outset of his rc-|'-.rt, Mates that it has not been possible for him in the short time lie has l-i-l,| i la- portfolio of railways, to renew - personally Hie many imporlant matters eimm-eted with administration. One did not need, however, lo delvo very deeply into fumlnmemay prin-i-iples governing railway policy, to realise tbe important part the railways lad already played in the past towards bringing tbe Dominion to its

p re-eat high state of product ivenoss, and to appreciate the value of the services to primary ami secondary industries, and numerous oilier benefits that have liicn conferred. The public have I i-coiiii- so accustomed to generous concessions on the railways, that the val'.ie ,f il-,- services rendered is not so universallv appreciated as it should hi'. M;my ot th,- benefits conferred uml-'r tbi- present policy would not he available it the railways were run purely on commercial lines. The railways in New Zealand have never been regarded nr run as a prolit-luakiug euiiei-rn. Even if prael ii-abie, there t- 3il lie- doiild that such a iHiiiev would mb meet with the approval ot the p'-oplo, nor, in Minister’s opinion, w-mlil ii bring about anv material improvement in the t-ondt-tiv-ii ot alTairs. Much gi'ealer pro'll» wnai'l be earned if they were guided solely by coiisidernrion - --I iiuaneitd r--t urn. but lliat would not b-;> utilising the service in the (rue intere-is , i tl.e Dominion. If further evidence oi this were ref|uiretl he could point to 1H branch litu's, many ol v.bieli wi-ri- itt r p.'i.-ition for a considerable period. which bail not earned actual working

expenses, let alone returning interest -in capital. At least L’l.-b'l per cent of tin- total mileage of the railway system we-, being worked at a loss under existing policy. Would anyone sitgge-t. a-k-. the Minister, that these lines should be scrapped or lliat higher rate- should bn charged; They opein-d up Hi- country, and increased production and wealth, and their value more than outweighed the laek of prn!it. FL- wa> hopeful that the experiments in be made in motor trains would result, in improvement in the ,-orviii-.' on the branch lines referred 10. THE TARIM-'. .\lt--r ri-fi-ning to ibe anxious per.-i.l m linuuee caused by tin- war and Ihe itati.etlmle pm.t-war period and its tesuit,i ot ret rt-uehmeut policy, the Min-. istvr turned to the tariif. Haml-ome (oncfs.sious, he states, are being graa!-1-ii in the- matter of lares to i-m oarage ov;,!i- t-« live in the suburbs. At the present nites workei-s' weekly ami weekly twelve-trip tickets ami season tb-kels are imreiiiunerat ive, v. hile ti-e eoueessiou to school children re.-niis in an annua! loss to the Department oi some eg.',,<!.')(!. In ibis latter eoiinexi'in ii is noted Unit in some districts where train loads of children are dadlv eoiiveved to school at eolieessioii

rales, parents travel by molor-hns. .Many concessions may he ijtioied. 11l ihe parcels and goods branches, for instance, the charges on Xcw Zealandgn ivn fresh fruit are obviously below a reasonably remunerative late. Half a hundredweight of fruit may he carlied any distance fur v d. lime for farm lands is conveyed lor distances up !o I Oil miles free of charge, empty fruit eases made from New Zealand timber, under <ertain conditions, are carried free for distances no to Id) miles, and a similar concession applies to timber consigned for the purpose of making fruit eases. X,olive brown coal i.-. also carried at an extremely low rate, native timbers are carried at one-third les.s than the rale charged for imported t iinbers ; returned -empty Imltor-boxcs. cheese, egg,, fresh meat, fruit, nut and .vegetable packages, are carried free, and others at very low rates; stock, implements, dogs, horses, cattle, produce, etc., consigned to eh.,\,-s. horse parades, dog trials, ole., tire returned free of charge. Many commodities of Xew Zealand manufacture are granted preferential rales on the railways in order to protect and foster the industries el' the Dominion. .More might \• -t be done in this direction.

Another important phase of the .Department's operations is its policy ol purchasing iis requirements in the Dominion wherever possible. During the vear under review. L'l.Stio.'-’l- was expended in purchasing stores and other material, of which amount Cl.iM'i.irr wtt' circulated in the Dominion. Generally 'peaking, a very large proportion of the total expenditure of the Department in wages, stores, etc., is circulated within Xew Zealand. The tariff was probably one of the most important questions now calling for attention, states the Minister, it was felt that relief should first he given in this respect, lie believed that a comprehensive revision ol the tariff would be very desirable, and t his would he one of his first duties at the termination of the session. A small comnottee would he appointed to advise him in regard to complex details. Tie had not yet decided as to the personnel; that is, whether users of the railways should have representation or whethei the committee should consist entirely of experts, with power to afford persons interested every opportunity to make suggestions. WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS.

Wages and working conditions must he considered in conjunction with the tariff. Representations were continually being made and the question of deciding oil an equitable wage rate must ho thoroughly examined. There was a point beyond which the State could not go, however. Excellent conditions were extended to the staff in superannuation, subsidy, leave, sick and accident pnv, railway passes, privi-

the second division, with special rates for night work and overtime, besides other concessions. The Department’s housing policy would result in a great improvement in staff accommodation and would extend the benefits ol reduced rents. -MOTOR COMPETI TION. There was a very real and increasing competition by, motor traffic with the railways, continued the .Minister, and if the Department was to hold its own, concessions to users of the railways and to the staff would have to he subjected to very close investigation. It was clear that any increase in freight rates to enable the Department to earn interest charges would divert more traffic to the roads. It was well known that motorists were not charged v-itb any contribution to the construction and maintenance of roads, also lliat the railways carried roml metal for the re-p-dr of roads. Thai involved a loss of (.TO, non per annum. Motor traffic had a legitimate field, which was supplementary rather than competitive, othe railways. They should act a> feed . ors to rapid and regular transport if districts where a railway would not b< justified. The Department has line

tinder consideration proposals to obtain f =onio motor vehicles tor use in con- j junction with the railways. These ( would ho obtained and worked tit first ( as an experiment in selected districts, and further operations would be guided j bv the experience thus gained. In addition, contracts might be made with ( those now engaged in the motor carry- j Sum- tr.nlo io work in f-o-opcTiW son m-j stead of in competition with the Do- | partment. Something would have t > 1,,.- done by local bodies and ntbeis interested ill tin- diret Lion of delrrmiti-n.'/ under wind conditions these motors can be permitted to use the road-. In regard to through express (rains, more i oitsideratioii should he given t--bn--' distance naxsengers. SEBERBAN V LKf.TR lEH ’ ATKIN. Elect rilieati.m of suburban lines which has been the subject of several record .Ministerial pronouncements, is also dealt with in the Statement. This Government, said the Minister, fully recognised the public advantage o! util- ; ising electric power on the so busy lines, j Valuable material bad already been ob- | tuim-.l from overseas to assi-t it to the s,-hemes it uas preparing. These reports would b,- reviewed during the j wear and it would I - possible lo decide j wlicili-er from the ei-ntiomieal stand- i point -dot trilieal ion would be desirable, j Tin- action of the Government guided bv experts would then be announced. MOTOR TRAINS. j -j am i>; the opinion,” states me | Minister -That it a suitable rail motor ] , chirl- ,-an i ,- devised, it should go fur | to solve the tra'lie problem tilt -erne ol our suburban lines and non-pus mg branch line-. Newspapers have, rep ,rt- • 1 a c, -Haiti ami,a,it el sit-cess in some of tlk- Australian States v. i«h 'n.-iot (•■air- 1 ha', i - tirrateged lor the De- | pan til"!!! lo p.il'eh'.l-a Dvo or Hncc Imi son-, ,:I nnr branch ho- s. io' i p.-rimeiiis will v-oy e’o- rL a I ela-.l | and tl.r servi.e wd! b- extend, d, if i.evei. crossings. I sale!! could be as:.tiled in rt-ganl to level 'fo- itUl.-. '’-as by the pro', i-'otl i i ■ I.ridges or subways, but the exPet-s. ! was 1-t-yo!.■ 1 the tealm ot praelira! pos-ibilit.v. In lev inea i; I tine the safety ol motorists iitii-l depend on care exorcised bv ils m-■!•■ e-. I a Matrr.iiil j breaches legal pr-eet'diug' e., Id be t-tken. Tite Deparlmeat was m tailing

v, ai (!i'virf*> :*t • •*-*»!*■ "t i 1 nio'-t ol nik-r ii! ”'. , m v. or!x~. pf l*!M >\* KM EXT AM) HOfSiNC. T!b | , !il'ui>* 1 !■'. n'fkß :» eaivlttl t i tulv of tlie »!:<-! - of me h r-uir.'it'i'ii, 111 re gard I -r: dv. a y im-nrovei-:''gt s. and formula! -e a definite p..|i. v. i rim; to !to ii-: —od nsid, ratio-.. lie r-viov.i-l lb- elJoin progress ot the I ’ pa rt ment "s [ lousing golie.- . ’i oc • '• "i " I -V 1 Jtou.--. s fiTjll ivr-i 1 to meet th- Dopnrl-iiii-iit' i demands. Be-sjoes hoit-o building. all kinds of titaber const mei i-.-n w or!: wo'il,l he carrae.l colt from tiefact, rv at Era il.ton .lumi cn stteli as ilie Imib-ling ol railway wa-rynns. station stock yards, etc. With the la-lory fully eiiuippcd and rnn11i11 ■ ,-mooi h!v, -■ i■ -----1 ri'oitiiviiu-nt s uotild - -on la- nn<!i-rtak-ii. He hoped to see every railwav set i lenient a ,garden stibwi b. < OMMERCIAL AGENTS. Th.- ii-port of tie- e.-iiiiaei-eial iiynu appoifi-oil last year doe- not. as was antiebi.it d. otipcar iti ill- -niti-mi-.ii. but a r- b-rene,- to lliei'' work is ma'le by t !:■■ Minister. II e was. lie '-tafi-s. eery -t-V -a sol bringing i In- u - u-s .- f i 1,,. radv ay ; into intimate touch with li,<- Depart men!. and In- intended I o ma 1 i- lh - i nil it - ot t i-.ei r '-er; ie -s. Tlmy 1 i:;,j alt--a !y d-.i.e exeeilen!. v 'tit th oag It tit t!ie Domini, it. coming int" ,-ntii let with the p:ddie. clearing; up matt-r. in ilispu:,-. and g-.-n--rally crealing a b, tti-r in,-t-Hng. Tht-ir ;tj>ltf 11 : -nt « its I nHy ;,it • t ilie L 1 'ers of the rad-rays mi .hi, wi: it t-.erv ron-lidr-n.-e, pl.-u e lu-fore titem any mattors t hat reipiired iim-st igation and adjust men!.

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