AN IMPROVED POSITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9712, 7 February 1910, Page 4

AN IMPROVED POSITION.

The frankly expressed intention of the Minister for Railways to make his Department show an annual profit in place of a deficit was cordially approved of by the Dominion as a whole, and the Minister had the best wishes of the people with him when he entered upon the arduous task of reformation. When Mr Millar took over the portfolio of railways the outlook was not bright, and he, no doubt, anticipated greater trials and difficulties than he has experienced. That, however, he would have succeeded in any case is most probable, for Mr Millar has given proof of his conscientiousness and adrainistratie ability on more than one occasion in the past. Fortunately, shortly after the Minister took up his duties, trade began to mend, and now, owing to one cause and another, there is promise that times as good as New Zealand has ever enjoyed will once more be experienced in the near future. It is not surprising therefore, to learn that the railway revenue shows a decided improvement. The Minister has stated that the revenue for the four weeks ended Bth January shcwsj an increase 0fj£22,000, compared with the corresponding period of last year, "while the revenue for the year to date indicated that the railways arej£lßo,ooo net better off than last year at that period. According to the Minister, the revenue has increased by £273,000, and to earn this large increase the expenditure has only been increased by £85,000, or about 31 per cent, of the revenue. No part of the increase has been brought about by raising the passenger fares over long distances for the period covered by the figures mentioned ended the day before the increased rates came into operation.