From the Public Angle.

Organised as the Department is at present, it is surprising how low is the proportion of additional cost involved in handling additional business secured. For most lines of business, the additional cost would not be more than from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of the standard charges, which in most cases are already so low that they defy competition on any sound economic basis. But the result is that out of every additional £1 now spent by the public for railway service, 16/- to 18/- goes straight to the Consolidated Fund and acts as a general relief to taxation. Here is surely very genuine reason, from the public angle, why every person should, whenever possible, send his goods by rail and why any spending for travel—whether for business or pleasure—should be done by rail. Every penny spent in this way, besides buying good service, helps the Government and people of the Dominion towards financial recovery.

Acting General Manager.