* * *

Travel by Government conveyances for speed and comfort, and vote for Mr. Coates.

* * *

After a long look at your competition I find that the answer is: “Travel by rail.” I am 10 years old; it is raining hard to-night.

* * *

“I am put in a cage and bumped in a car over rough roads. Put me in a train on the N.Z. Railways and then I will be happy.”

* * *

From the cage shrieked a voice in despair,
You're picking the route over there!
Don't dabble and fuss
With some risky old bus,
It's safer by rail anywhere.
* * *
A cute old bird was reflecting
On the journey that lay ahead;
The lady the map was dissecting,
So the parrot jumped up and he said:
“Keep on the green line my sweetest,
Don't gamble and guess on the blind;
For if you choose other than Railway
For heaven's sake leave me behind.”

* * *

“For business, pleasure and health, travel by N.Z. Railways, and be assured of 100% efficiency and safety.”

* * *

“Give me the railways every time for travelling, then I will arrive with all my feathers on.”

* * *

The lady traveller being undecided at Woodville, the parrot said: “Let us go to Gisborne for a holiday as the Railway is connected now with Napier, and the travelling will be comfortable and cheaper.”

He was very old and wise; wiser than many men, that parrot was. He had travelled much, and in his own quiet way had made quite a study of transport. But he was never asked for his opinion on travel, and consequently he kept it to himself, rarely speaking except to ask for a cup of tea, shout “hello!” or politely request that he should be scratched. Now, when he saw the fair lady consulting the reference map, he decided that the time had come to break his long silence and tell the world what he knew.

“It's cheaper by rail,” he shouted, realising that the economic appeal comes first with most people.

Growing bolder at the sound of his own voice he continued: “Avoid pot-holes, flat tyres and dusty roads, and travel by rail.”

He was about to settle down on his perch again when he remembered the narrow escape he once had when travelling on the top of a bus. The bus gave a lurch and over he went, from the top of the bus, cage and all, to finish up at the foot of the hill.

His voice rose to a shrill screech as he announced:

“Safety first; travel by rail.”

* * *