The Te Puke Times. Friday, OCTOBER 3 THE RAILWAY TATEMENT

Te Puke Times, Volume II, Issue II, 3 October 1913, Page 2

The Te Puke Times. Friday, OCTOBER 3 THE RAILWAY TATEMENT

Tin; Railway Statement, presented by the Hon. W. 11. Herrics in the House last week, makes not only interesting but satisfactory reading. It shows that the return was the highest, with one exception, of any vet earned by the railways, viz. ■1.01 on the capital invented in opened lines, and 3.7-1 on thocapital invested in open and unopened lines. The passenger iraiiic for the year increased considerably, the number carricd being 13, 123,8?.', an increase of 1,312,7-15 over that of the previous year. The meat strike was re.v.wsiiblc for a decrease of no less than 6f),(i3S in the number ei sheep carricd, whilst there was a heavy drop in the South Island in the timber trafiic. Amongst the lu'gest increases were grain 2:!2.,"i3 bms. minerals 1.200 tons, wool DI2S tons, chalf, iime, etc.. 21.528 to!,s, calflo 1 '.010 head. Discussing the high percentage of working expenses, which increased from 07.07 to OS. 13 the Minister says that the irain factors are inncreased wages and shortening of the hours of the stall, increasing train services by running trains for experimental development, many of which are unremunerative, opening of new sections of railway in undeveloped country, where business is necessarily very restricted and unprofitable, additional staff, necessitated by the expansion of interlocking and safety appliances, which has resulted in a large proportion of what were unattended Hag stations being converted into tablet stations many of which arc double-manned on account of long hours. The more extended hours trains are now running on the Main Trunk systems also necessitated increased staff. The rates paid for fuel, stores, and materials of every f description wed by the Railway Department have advanced in sympathy with the improvement thai has taken place in working conditions and wages in foreign 'countries and foreign and local industries.