OUR RAILWAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1923, Page 1

OUR RAILWAYS.

■REPLY TO ENGLISH CRITICISMS. [dy tei/ecpaph—per press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, October .11. Referring to the recent adverse criticism of the New Zealand Railway Department in ••‘The Financial Times. - ’

of London, the lion. .7. 0. Contes (Minisier of liailuavs), stated to a deputation .'it Horrelville that it was often

forgotten that- the .Railway Department considered the development of the ountrv as veil as the financial side of the service. .Mr MeA illv. the General Manager of Railways, stated that- the Railway Dopaitmont always eonsiderod the development of the country. Although there had been a hie deficit on the wordings of the branch lines, most of. which were in the .South Island, they acted as feeders to the Inaio lines, and also tended to develop the country through which they passed. The Department was not always given ijeditfor the manner in which it developed the country. The .Minister stated that Mr McVilly’s statement, in a measure, provided a reply to the criticism of “The Financial Times.” In Xew Zealand, the Department did not stick strictly to tile financial side of the railway epuestio’.i, but considered tile matter of the development of the country. He did not think that “Tho Financial Times” ijnitc realised this point of view. There were limits to expenditure, but the Department was satisfied if it could earn of per cent. In fact, Parliament had made a stipulation to that effect. Hon. Mr Ruddo, who was present, asked whether, if the Department earned more than 3j pore cent., it would be able to give concessions.

Mr Coates: "I don't know a bout concessions, but we will be able to gi\o a better service.’’