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Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1929, Page 4

Tiie Minister of Railways was discreetly non-committal in his reply to the deputation which asked him to discontinue, or at any rate to curtail very largely, the Sunday excursions that are provided by his department. The present Government, he said in the first instance, was not responsible for the policy of Sunday excursions which it has not hesitated to carry on since it 'ame into office. The policy must ’■owever, have been profitable to the 'opartmout. and this fact constitutes •ui aspect of the question which cannot be ignored when the railway policy for next season is under consideration. The success of the Sunday excursions ■rovides the proof, says an ex hangt*. 'bat there is a public demand for them ( "an it be reasonably argued that, i' this demand is not met by the Railways Department; no other provision will be made to meet it? The motor organisations, as a matter of fact, en-f-red the field as cateiers-'for the public in respect of Sunday excursions before the Railways Department did so. They 1 ave not been satisfied to provide excursion trips on Sundays. They supply '•'gular passenger services which connect with the Cook Strait ferry service on Sundays in both islands. As the Minister observed, it is impossible that motor services can be controlled in tile way in which railways can be controlled. The competition of lh<services is of a kind that must be met by the railways if they are to cater adequately, as a business concern, for Die requirements of the public. There is another view of the matter, also, which the Government can hardly disregard. The railways provide an opportunity, by the establishment of excursion services, nor the enjoyment by the masses of the people of a lorm of relaxation that would otherwise he restricted to the private owners of motor cars and to those who are in a position to take ;ylvantage oif the services that are provided by the motor organisations. It will he difficult lor any Government to resist the pressure that is hound to he exerted upon it by the public for the continuance of excursion services that have been shown by experience to be high! popular.