RAILWAY INCREASES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1442, 31 August 1915, Page 2

RAILWAY INCREASES.

From causes arising chiefly from the war it is impossible for the Railway Department to provide sufficient ways and means under conditions now existing. Dealing with this point, the Budget stated that railway passenger and goods lates were to be increased to the extent of ,£360,000 per annum. One factor ol the increasing expenditure is the rise in the price of material. The cost of canvas has increased 100 per cent,, rails 12 per cent., fastenings9per cent., and steamer freights on rails by 102 per cent. It is proposed to raise passengers rates 8 1-3 per cent., and goods (excepting timber) 10 per cent. Further information gathered shows that it is proposed to increase exclusion fares, and instead of a double journey at single journey rates, the basis will be single journey and an additional third. It has not yet been derided to which particular class of excursion fares the increase will apply—whether to tickets for specified journeys, weekly or monthly tickets. The Increase will have to be gazetted before they become operative, and the new scale of charges has yet to be considered by Cabinet. From a revenue standpoint the Government is naturally anxious that the revisions should come into force as early as possible.