“Now that the line is an accomplished fact, it is my responsibility, as Minister of Railways, to see that the purpose for which the work was undertaken is fully met by the provision of suitable and adequate services.

“And this reminds me that, just a year ago, I had the pleasure of presiding at the inaugural ceremony which marked the official change-over from steam to electric traction and the introduction of multiple-unit passenger trains on the Wellington—Johnsonville suburban line.

“That improvement was also the result of a decision made by the present Government, and has been an outstanding success in providing the most pleasing and satisfactory form of suburban passenger transport yet available in any part of the world.

“Emulating that great forward step in Dominion transport, from Monday next my Department will commence operating on the Napier—Wairoa line the very latest type of rail-cars, designed and built by our own engineers and craftsmen, to ensure rapid, clean, frequent and comfortable transport for travellers on this route.

“These rail-cars, of the ‘Aotea’ type, have already demonstrated their usefulness and popularity on the Wellington—Taranaki run, where the recently inaugurated thrice-weekly service is so well patronised that it appears an increase in the frequency of the service will soon become necessary.

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“Here you are to have these highly-efficient and popular rail-cars running twice daily in each direction between Wairoa and Napier, and then, for good measure at the weekends, a complete rail-car run to Wellington and back. That is a passenger service superior, I think, to anything so far given to any new line in the Dominion and you may regard it as some recompense for the long time of waiting the district has endured before rail access was provided.

“There will be an adequate goods service to help the further development of your primary and secondary industries.