The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1919. THE RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1919. THE RAILWAYS.

In presenting the Railways Statement to the House last week, the Premier stated that, notwithstanding' the exceptional conditions which prevailed during the gTeater part of the year, the gross receipts (£4,988,632) constituted a record. It would have been more accurate if Mr. Massey had said that the gratifying result had been obtained by means of the increased fares and freights and the abolition of concessions that mean much to the people, as is shown by the rise in the gross receipts per train mile for all lines from 150.50 d to 160.00 d, an increase of 9.50 d per train mile. The increase is also largely contributed to by debiting the Defence Department with the innumerable fares granted to soldiers and their relatives. Unfortunately the expenditure has kept pace with the increased receipts, so that the net profit is only £35,264 more than in the previous year, when the total earnings were £300,932 less. It will probably be a surprise to the public that against the increase of expenditure (£265,668) there can only be placed one new heavy tank engine, one bogie car, and 143 new wagons built in the workshops and put into traffic. Reference was made in the statement to prevailing circumstances having precluded the vigorous scheme of improvements outlined in 1914, and to the necessity for putting them in hand. Judging by Mr. Hiley's final report it would appear that unless certain things are done, and done quickly, there is a danger of a complete disorganisation of the railway business. The net profit on the working of the railways is misleading when it is considered that imperative works have for the last five years remained in abeyance, with the result that matters have been going from bad to worse. In his 1914 report Mr. Hiley indicated in plain terms that there was a shortage of engine power and rolling stock for dealing promptly with the business then offering; suburban lines were Congested, regrading, bridge strengthening, and improved signalling were required "if the traffic of the Dominion is to be handled economically, safely, and expeditiously." The most urgent of these works, which were to be spread over a period of five years, were expected to cost three and a quarter millions. But for the war, it may be assumed, the programme would have been carried out and nearly completed by now. If they were urgent five years back what must the position be to-day ? The intervening years have not only made the position worse, but have brought a further batch of urgent requirements. Obviously the expenditure of the three and a quarter millions that was imperative in 1914 must by this time have grown appreciably, and the public have suffered through the inadequacy of the railway facilities. It is not as if the railway transport trade was stationary, for it increases by leaps and bounds, and it will not Jse lonjg before it has doubled the

volume of business that offered in 1914. Under the circumstances it is quite conceivable that the responsible officers of the Department may hardly know what pressing-necessity to attack first. When Mr. Hiley's statement was made there were over twenty new railways in course of construction, and it would seem that a most convincing excuse for not proceeding at other than a snail's pace with these new railways can be brought forward by stating that it is no use pushing the lines forward vigorously until the requisite working equipment is available. There is a growing feeling that effective steps should be taken without further loss of time to place the railways on a sound, businesslike, and efficient footing, irrespective of the cost. The great need of the present is efficiency. Theoretically the railways are run in the best interests* of the people, but this has uome to be regarded as a fiction. The first consideration in the management of our railways should therefore be, not to sacrifice efficiency in order to show a profit, but to make them thoroughly adequate to the ever-increasing demands of trade—and there is no time to lose in the operation.