Public Utilities.

The necessity for an adequate population in New Zealand so that the cost of public utilities would become less per head of population was stressed by the Hon. Sir Alfred Ransom, who spoke on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. A. Hamilton), who was unable to be present.

Sir Alfred joined with other speakers in congratulating the people of Wellington and the Dominion on the completion of the station. Wellington residents had waited many years for more up-to-date and satisfactory railway facilities. When he was an apprentice boy over fifty years ago they had the same old station, and there had been very little improvement since.

Sir Alfred recalled that Lord Nuffield had expressed himself as very pleased with the good service on the New Zealand railways.