LOSS ON RAILWAYS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2368, 15 December 1921, Page 2

LOSS ON RAILWAYS

CHANGED MANAGEMENT SUGGESTED.

In a question addressed to the Minister of Railways, Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) recently suggested that there was need for a change in the system of New Zealand railway management, and at the very least for the appointment of a strong and experienced commercial man to assist in the business.

The Minister of Railways replied as follows: “The loss at present being made on the working of our railways is one of the results of the world-wide war in which the Empire was involved, and which has made itself fell in all railway systems — in Europe, America, Australia, and New Zealand. The losses on many of the foreign railways are much greater than those at present being made in this country; and while high prices are ruling for all commodities and material required for railway purposes, as well as high rates of wages for the staff, it is extremely doubtful whether any change in the system of management would lead to better financial results. The experience in the Australian States, where the railways are managed by a non-political Board of Commissioners, and in other countries where the railways are privately owned, confirms (his view. In view of the present circumstances, the appointment of a commercial agent is not considered necessary.”