Support the Railways.

An apology for the unavoidable absence of Mr. H. H. Sterling, General Manager of the Railways, was tendered by Mr. E. Casey, North Island Superintendent. As an old Napier boy he was pleased to participate with the Hawke's Bay people in having a look at the Napier-Cisborne line as far as Tutira, and to realise its great importance to the district. Speaking on the policy of the Railway Department he said that it was out to give service as cheaply as it could. Railways were not only a commercial proposition but also one of development, and if the Department's balance-sheet could only be credited with the increased land values and increased productivity brought about by the construction of the railways, the question of the failure of the Department to make the railways pay would never be raised. He wished settlers to remember that when they were dealing with the Railway Department they were dealing, with friends, and that when they used the trains they were the Department's guests. The Department were out to do their job well, and, to achieve that, it sought the co-operation of all. If there was anything that needed remedying the Department, if approached, would have it attended to. That was their idea of service. The Department hoped to increase the service, and dispense with any jarring note between themselves and their clients.

When it was realised, said Mr. Casey, that the Department had invested the huge sum of £51,000,000 and employed nearly 19,000 men, its value as a developmental asset would not be overlooked. The railway looked to the primary producer for revenue, and, after bringing cheap fertilisers to them, the Department wanted to bring back the products in return.