RAILWAY EXPENSES

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 12

RAILWAY EXPENSES

INCREASES ANALYSED MINIBTER GIVES FIGURES The relation between Increased railway expenditure and Increased revenue in recent years is discussed by the Minister of Railways, the lion. 1). G. Sullivan, In a statement supplementary to that which he issued on Monday, reviewing the returns for the financial year 1937-38. Taking the gross revenue and expenditure for the year 1929-30 as 100 in each case, the Minister gives the following Index numbers for four later years—l 932-33 depth of the depression . 72 and 70: 1935-36. *and * 1 : 1936-31, 93 and 94; 1937-38, 10 i and 109. Wage Increases The Increase of £1.14 4.596 | n expenditure between 1936-31 and 19373x Is analysed as follows-.—Wages, due to improved conditions to staff. £ i 42.250 : wages, due to increased Irafflc. £298.750; higher price of coal, £100.000: greater consumption of coal. due fu greater mileage. £i 1.000; Increased material used in repair of rolling slock. £ 4 #.000; expansion of subsidiary services. £*8.000; various additional expend’fure. due to increased traffic and higher commodity prices, £102.596. In comparing 1937-38 with 1929-36. ft is found that expenditure increased by £642.530. or 8.13 per rent, and revenue by ill per cent. «o that portion of the higher expenditure was due to increased business handled. The higher exchange rate operating In 1931-38 accounted for £BI.OOO of the Increased expenditure. Hours and Conditions However, by far the - most important cause of the rise was the legislation affecting hours and conditions of labour. The amount due io the 40 hour week and other improvements In wages and conditions was When this figure is considered in relation to the total Increase in expenditure'. £642.530. the Minister remarks. It Is at once apparent that the operations of the department have been conducted in a very sound manner. Referring to the* comparatively small increase. 5.83 per cent, in passenger rexeniie. between last year and the year before, the Minister points out that two Easters fell in 1936-31 and none In 1931-38. This made a difference nf fsn.nnn. and when allowance is made for it the increase in revenue becomes 10 per cent. Total passenger journeys, including season t'ckets. last year numbered 22. i i 1,212, an increase of 1.205,784.