OUR RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 43, 31 May 1910, Page 5

OUR RAILWAYS.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. At a "social" to the Hon. Mr. Millar iby his constituents to-night, he compared the results of the Government railway management with that of the commissioners, who charged higher freights 'and paid lower wages. Last year the railways carried 5,794,000 passengers in the North Island and 5,324,000 in the South Island, and also 21,000 on Lake Wafeatipu. There was an increase in every class of goods except timber revenue. From .passengers in the North Island ,the receipts were £619,302; South. Island, £448,020; Wafcatipu, £2769. In goods, the North Island claimed £782,000 and the South Island £082,000, making a total revenue for the North Islamf-of £1.014.000, and for the South £1,028,000. The mileage now was -1,290,626 n tke North Island and 3.508,540 in the South Island. The rates of interest earned were £4 3s 3d per cent, in the North Island and £3 9s .id in the South, and £!) 17s 7d on Lake Wakatipu. The average rate of interest was £3 15s 9d, which was 13s 2d greater than the pervious year. He did not believe the railways should be used as a feeder to the Consolidated Fund, and did not see that the Consolidated Fund should 'be charged one penny for the railways. If New Zealand would accept the same rates and pay the same wages as Australia, he would guarantee the railways 'would pay 7'/» per cent, as against i'/o .per cent. The expenditure .per cent, was £62,70 in 1894, £G7,58 in 1905, and last year £60.74. Before the lines were taken over the figures were £72.19. The Minister also detailed the works in hand in providing plant.