RAILWAY CHAOS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 210, 4 September 1919, Page 8

RAILWAY CHAOS.

KOYAL COMMISSION TO TNQUIRE.(Special to "Star.") ■"■ WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A -Royal Commission is to bo set up to inquire into the causes of the railway '"cut," also into the allegations regarding the condition of the rolling stock. This announcement came unexpectedly as the result of the Hon. G. W. Russell seeking to add an amendment to the usual order of reference of the Railways Committee, which was .being set up, directing them to inquire into the cause of the present chaos in the railway services, the responsibility therefor for the present supplies of coal, the working of the "cut," including restrictions on goods and passenger traffic, the present condition of the rolling stock, numbers and efficiency of staff, resignations therefrom, and the effect of the war on the efficiency of the service.

Mr. Russell suggested that no argu-, ment was needed to convince the I Premier of the •chaotic conditions of the railway service, when he found, on his arrival in Xew Zealand, that he could not travel between the two chief cities of the Dominion. He would not place the responsibility wholly on the late political head of the Department, but he had had under him a well paid staff of experts—one getting the enormous salary of £3000 per annum. Further development of the argument was suspended by Mr. Speaker calling attention to-the fact that only questions of the Committee's personnel could be discussed.

Mir. Russell clearly avoided 'infringement of the Standing Orders by referring to what individual members of the Railway Committee were likely to think about the hardship to school children and the offensive treatment of adults, who, when asking for permits to travel, were "practically called liars by gold- | braided gentlemen, who inquired their 'reasons for travelling." Mr. Speaker ruled that the powers suggested in the amendment were already "in the Committee's order of reference. ROYAL COMMISSION PROMISED. Mr. Massey brought the matter to the point by announcing his intention to appoint a Royal Commission to go into the whole question. It would be quite impossible for a select committee to ipare time this session for a proper nquiry. A Royal Commission could, ivithout party bias, inquire into the serious position which the country bad to face, and which was the cause of so much loss and hardship. The Commission would ascertain who was at fault, whether it was the fault of any individual, or if it was due to causes over which the Department had no control. Mr. AVitty: I asked for that some lays ago.

Mr. -Massey replied that he had not noticed this question. He would ask the Commission to inquire into charges regarding rolling 6tock. He had hardly taken over the Department, l>ut bad already made inquiries about its condition, and had been informed that the rolling stock was never better. Advantage was being taken of the "cut" to run the rolling stock into the workshop for necessary repairs.

Mr. Veitch: There are very few men in the workshops. Sir Joseph Ward asked the Prime Minister if he intended to be permanent Minister of Eailways? It. was the greatest Department in the country, and he thoug-ht the House and country ought to know whether, in the present transition period, the Premier wag holding the position temporarily or permanently.

Mr. Maseej replied that he '-.intended to hold the position at, Minister of Railways permanently. That was to say, he hoped to hold it for the next cix or seven years. (Hearty laughter.)