THE RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1922, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS.

STEADY’ IMPROVEMENTS MADE. POLICY OF THE FUTURE. BUSINESS OR CONVENIENCE? By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. Criticism of the railway policy made in the House to-night drew a reply stating the position of affairs in this department. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), after dealing'with the purchase of British engines and the commission paid to Sir Duncan Elliott on- these purchases, which he said amounted to £34,245, he suggested that the things required to improve the railways were: (1) No further reductions in staff; -(2) provision of capital to effect necessary improvements; (3) improvement of grades? (4) improvement of depots; (5) covering for all engines and coal. He also criticised the condition of the permanent way. Sir William Berries said the last speaker was doing his best to raise a scare. What was happening to the permanent way had nothing to do with the margin of safety. The railway reports showed that the chief engineer had reported year after year that the margin of safety was maintained and was better to-day than twenty years ago. The relaying of heavier rails was a policy merely intended to enable them .to run heavier engines, and in that respect was a good policy, but It had nothing whatever to do with the margin art safety to the public. Our permanent, way was undoubtedly better than that in most countries, .and was one of the best m the world.

He said Mr. Veitch had previously made accusations against the railway rolling stock, which had been utterly blown out. and apparently the public was not disposed to take much notice of his statements, because he understood the booking by the Main Trunk line was just as good as ever. Mr. Veitch had complained that not sufficient relaying of rails was carried out. i but that was catchin<r up since the war ■ when they were able to get material. , He made no mention of other improvei ments. The signalling system had been • practically renewed, grades had been : eased, many new’ stations had been i built, and a good deal had been done i to give effect to what was known as the Hiley scheme. A most creditable housing scheme for employees had been carried out. and when hon. members found fault with Labor Department’s housing scheme they always i pointed to the railway scheme as showing- an example.

Referring to the importation of rolling stock, he contended it was more profitable to import material made up than to. import raw material and wait a long time before they could get the men <to make it up. The reason engines were imported was because there had been a chronic shortage of engine power, and the complaint about getting goods to the ports could not be remedied until more engine power was procured. Since engines had been imported he had not heard the usual complaints in this connection. He eulogised the work of the department during the war, when it gave the public an efficient service, satisfied the Defence Department in sending men and carrying troops, and kept strong finance.

So far as the general policy of the railways was concerned, they must be run either on strictly business lines or on the lines of giving conveniences to the public. These two systems were diametrically opposed to each other, and they could not run the railways on both and give satisfaction to anyone. Mr. Massey made a statement with regard to the cost of railway engines imported from Britain. He said that owing to a mistake in the figures quoted bv him in the House in 1920, Mr. Veitch had been led into the belief that the engines on the rails cost £lB.OOO each. The fact was that the price on the rails was £l3-,000. He did not know how the mistake had been macle, but it was so obvious that Mr. Veitch ought to have noticed it.