NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 251, 22 October 1924, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS

FINANCE AND EQUIPMENT. WORK OF COMMISSION. ;■•; tTHE ORDER OF REFERENCE. ' (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) "WELLINGTON, Tuesday. By the Governor-General's warrant issued to-day Sir Sam Fay and Sir Vincent Eaven are appointed to be a commission to inquire into and report as ta tho financial arrangements, management, ! equipment and general working—including the administration, control and economy—of the railway service in NewZealand, and more particularly:— (1) The- organisation and running of ' the passenger and goods traffic, the services rendered, the scales of fares and freights operating, the finance, and financial return. (2) Matters appertaining gto the organisation and conduct of the mechanical section of the system in relation to the respective types of locomotives and rolling stock adopted, cost, economy of life, and use, equipment, renewal and maintenance charges. (3) Matters relating to the construction, renewal and- maintenance of permanent way, including station buildings, yards, deviations, etc., and the order in which such works should be carried out. (4) Whether the present discretionary powers held by district traffic managers are sufficient under existing conditions, i hiving regard to the increasing competition by road and .'sea. I (5) Whether more satisfactory and expeditious handling of traffic could be brought about by decentralisation. (0) Delegating pejwer to district managers, to enable them to make reduced quotations for traffic in exceptional cases to.counteract competition or secure business. (7) The general viewpoint of the staff in dealing with the Department's business. ( (8) Whether the steps at present tajcen to secure excursion traffic in connection with big events are sufficient. (9) Whether the present statistical data compiled by the Department are sufficient to enable transportation officers to accurately guage the cost of services in dealing with general transportation matters. (10) The policy of the Government in connection with the leasing and the con-struction-of private sidings. (11) The use of rail motor cars and the type suggested for New Zealand conditions. (12) The construction of special rolling stock, heavier or lighter, to meet special conditions in various districts. (13) The costing and statistical methods-in the maintenance workshops and other brandies.