RAILWAYS STATEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1925, Page 4

RAILWAYS STATEMENT

WELLINGTON, August 25. The Railway Statement was presented to the House to-daj. REVENUE RETURNS. The net revenue amounted to H1,5(57,108, equal to 8.55 per cent, on the capital invested in lines opened for traffic. Taking into consideration tho extraordinary circumstances that prevailed, and tho exceptional demands that had to bo met during tho financial year, the results are, in my opinion very satisfactory. The complete cessation of operations for eight days, as the result of the disagreement with one section of the railway employees, resit tied in a loss estimated at £150,000. Increased contributions to the Government Railways Superannuation Fund amounted to £BO,OOO. Tlie in-fantile-paralysis epidemic adversely affected the Department’s revenuo during the summer months, and was responsible for a loss of about £100,0,10. It will l.e observed, however, that the returns from gootls traffic showed much improvement over the previous year. A SUMMARY. Summarised briefly, the following are some of the more important measures re.ently brought into operation: (I) Complete reorganisation of administration of Department; Board of Management, divisional control, and decentralisation; reduction in districts. (•_’) Reorganisation of financial, statistical. and accounting methods on up-to-date commercial lines. (.11 Tariff revision. M) Reduction of excursion fares; institution of liberal family tickets. (5) Complete programme of improvements and tiew works—ten years programme of £1.000.000 expenditure per annum. (0) Workshops and equipment: Concentration on four shops; new shops at Auckland and AYcliington—total expenditure. £1.500,000; three-years programme. (7) Complete overhaul ol timetables to accelerate tho trains, reduce mixed trains, and provide more convenient services. (S) Inauguration ol Commercial Branch and bringing the Department int i dose personal contact with its customers. (0) Sending officers abroad to study at first hand tho methods applied to the solution of railway problems in other countries. (10i Availability of tickets extended. (II) Booking-time extended for reservations of seats and sleeping-berths. (12) Limited express^.-,. (l.n Rail motor-trains in operation or on order. (LI) Reports on electrification of railway sections. (15) Board of Inquiry into extended us,, of New Zealand coals on railways. (Hi) Through hooking of passengers, luggage, panels, and goods between North and South Islands. (17) Arrangements being completed for the transport of goods to and lrom the railway. (18) Unit Valiev settlement scheme. (HI) Construction of new lines ol policy, providing for departmental committees investigating the facts regarding proposals for new lines. (gf|) Publicity work, and co-ordina-tion of the efforts ol the various Departments interested thetetn. (21) Stores Branch reorganised after the Comptroller had been sent to Australia to study the reorganised .systems that have been adopted on the railways in that country. (12) Improved methods ol staff administration. POLICY. The present policy with regard to jhe administration of the New Zealand railways is as under: • ([)— The incidence of Infill’ rating to be such a- to ensure sufficient revenue to pay interest, lover working expenses, and make necessary provision for depreciation, renewals, insurance. betterments etc. (■2)~ Railway revenue to he tredited with -:e value of nil services rendered to other Departments. (1) —Surpluses ta I a devoted to reductions in rates, improving working com!iloins of stair, and extended servo e to the public. (I) —Scp-nm t ion of railway finances from the Conosoliilated bund. (5) -Encouragement of local primary and secondary industries. (d)- (superior standard ol ,-ervice that will he adequate to the public demand. (7) Equipment of the service with most up-to-date facilities to ensure efficiency and economy in operating, and to provide sufficient locomotives and rolling-stock to enable all requirements to he met. tS) Enenurnp;ement ut suburban settlement by auiactive lares and train services. (!l)- Ele< t rilicat ion where' eennomicallv sound. (1.0)_ El intiuat inn of the more dangerous level crossings, and provi-imi of warning appliances at others. (II) —Grade-easement s. (12) —Construction of modern stations and layouts at important termini and other stations. (| ;j)—Tnyirovlad facilities tor the comfort of passengers. (LI) —Utilisation of New Zealand coal for railway requirements as far as may lie economically practicable. (15) —Adoption of commercial methods to secure and retain business, and the maintenance of close personal relations between tho Department find its customers. (Ifi) —Keeping in close touch with methods in operation abroad by arranging periodical visits of officers to fiber countries. (17) —Development of excursion traffic hv the institution of suitable tares. (I!)>—Retirement of members on completion of forty years’ service or when otherwise eligible, except in special eases. (Hi) Encouragement to staff to qualify for promotion by advancement by merit. (20) —Efficient training ami education of staff. (21) —Plants: Government Railways S'liicrannuntion Fund on sound financial basis. (22) finking up rail and road services. In conclusion f would like to express niv complete satisfaction with the splendid response made by the members of all branches in bringing into operation the. many changes necessitated by the reorgaisation of the Railways Department. and the whole-hearted cooperation accorded the administration in the effort that fs being made to maintain the Department in that position'in the economic and social life ol the community that its importance v.n rrants. Evidence has been forthcoming from I every pan of the Dominion indicating I that the Department's efforts to cater for the needs of its customers have met with general satisfaction, and the response given by way of increased business and the promise of support for the forthcoming dairy, grain, and wool seasons has been exceedingly gratifying to all concerned.