RAILWAYS BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1925, Page 6

RAILWAYS BOARD.

" RED TAPE "METHODS GONE.

TIME ESSENCE Or CONTRACT.

SUGGESTED NEW APPOINTMENT,

When the proposed new railway tariff first saw the light of day in June last, some very hard things were said concerning the new Railways Board. The colliery owners were particularly perturbed, and meetings of protest were held at the various mines in the Waikato province. That was before the coalmine owners' representatives went to Wellington to meet members of the Railways Board in conference. But now there is a different story to be told. Commenting on their reception an the result of their negotiations with the board one of the members of the deputation from the Wailcato coal-mine owners told a "Star" reporter that he would like to Say deputation was treated with courteey, and members of the Railways Board seemed anxious to adjust their charges so that hardship to the.industry and public would be avoided. "The usual red-tape methods, with which we have been so familiar, apparently have been forgotten," he continued. "A few months ago it would have been Impossible to go to Wellington to see the Railway Department on such an important question as freights, and obtain a definite reply within any period short of months. The board appear to have authority to definitely close with any business they may be discussing, and we carte away from their offices with their definite acceptance of freight adjustments. Usually the matter would have been held up for their consideration with porbably nothing done." "Make-up" of Railway! Board. Asked for his opinion of the "make-up" of the board, the business man said: "Its usefulness would be greatly strengthened by the addition of a thoroughly experienced business man of proved worth and judgment. He would doubtless assist the board by being able to look at matters under discussion from the commercial standpoint, whereas the board, as at present constituted, consists entirely of railway men. They are undoubtedly the most capable men in the Department, but they have had no experience whatever outside the Department; and no matter what title they •might be given as a board, its members are still 'railway men,' who by reason of their departmental training cannot be expected to have outside commercial knowledge. They have, however, been given the chance to do things and own the business as they think fit, but I feel certain that the assistance of an able business man would be equally beneficial to the Department and the public."