Christchurch Railway Economics Class.—An interesting lecture was recently delivered by Mr. F. Pawson (Business Agent of the Department), on the subject of the “Public and the Railwayman—their attitude towards each other and the problem of Road Competition.”

By way of introduction Mr. Pawson entertained the class with some comments on his experiences when he first entered the Railway Service.

Getting to grips with his subject he said that before 1918 motor competition was negligible. Many of our soldiers, however, having had experience of the work accomplished by motor transport at the front thought that here was a splendid field for the introduction of such services. After the war, reconditioned motors were obtainable on very easy terms, and many men, knowing nothing of business principles, launched out as motor carriers. In many cases they overlooked the necessity of making such charges as would cover depreciation and other items as they went along. While their lorries lasted they kept going, working day and night, so that they were able to undercut the railway. This unfair competition lost the railway a lot of business. But the position is now changing rapidly. All but three of the motor companies are running feeder services in conjunction with the railways.

The lecturer went on to detail various causes of complaints which are common knowledge to every railwayman who comes in contact with the public. Complaints, however, are speedily disappearing—a tribute to the efficacy of the “personal touch” method in our dealings with clients. Both the public and the railwaymen have come to appreciate each other's difficulties, and business is going more smoothly than ever before.

After the close of the discussion which followed Mr. Pawson's lecture, preliminary arrangements were made for next year's session.