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ELECTRIFICATION The electrification of the Wellington-Hutt suburban lines is being pushed ahead as quickly as possible having regard for the number of staff available. The electric multipleunit rolling-stock so far received from the English manufacturers has been used to improve suburban services on the Paekakariki line. Sir William Halcrow and Mr. J. P. Thomas who made an investigation into transport generally in the Auckland City and suburban areas late last year submitted an interim report upon the completion of their local study of the subject. Their final report had not come to hand at the end of the financial year, but it has since been received and is under consideration. The General Manager, Mr. F. W. Aickin, has submitted a report on the electrification of the North Island Main Trunk line and the utilization of Diesel traction in shunting yards and to a limited extent on main lines following upon his investigations overseas and those of the technical railway mission which preceded him. Earlier in this report I mentioned the necessity for taking stock of the future. Recently, the Government was faced with the duty of raising railway goods rates andsuburban fares to meet the increased working-costs. Part of the planning for the future involves the substitution of new forms of traction for the purpose not only of securing greater efficiency but also of enabling the Department to avoid costs which must continue to rise under outmoded systems. The General Manager in his report has stated that electrification of the Main Trunk and the application of Diesel traction to a certain degree will increase the transport capacity of the railways, provide more efficient services, and effect very substantial economies. The utilization of modern traction on the North Island Main Trunk and elsewhere will overcome, to some extent, the shortage in operating staff generally. The General Manager's report, which is comprehensive, is receiving the attention of the Government. GENERAL The foregoing is, of necessity, a review in the widest possible terms of the railway position as it exists' to-day. This Government has been in office only a short time —:too short for the completion of a detailed examination of the many problems facing the Department. -The necessary investigations are, however, under way. Matters such as staff shortages, mechanization, electrification, the use of main-line Diesel-electric locomotives, Diesel-mechanical shunting engines, economic investigation of the operation of branch lines —these and other matters are receiving the closest consideration and will be the subject of comment as conclusions and decisions are reached in respect of them. CONCLUSION In concluding this statement I should like to thank Mr. F. W. Aickin, the General Manager, and the officers associated with him in the management of the railways for the valuable assistance extended to me. I am satisfied that with the continued assistance and co-operation of the railway staff we will be able to maintain the railways in that high state of efficiency so' necessary to the progress of New Zealand. *

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