FULL INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 17 June 1930, Page 8

FULL INQUIRY.

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS COSTS AND REVENUE. THE COMMISSION'S TASK. LONG ORDER OF REFERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The constitution of the Railway Commission is announced as follows: — Mr. R. Masters, chairman. Mr. J. D. Hall, Mr. R. W. McVilly.' ' Mr. James Marchbanks. The order of reference is to inquire and report as to the possibilities- of increasing the revenue and decreasing the expenditure of the New Zealand Railways, and more particularly: — (1) Whether the general organisation of the Department is such as to produce the maximum of economy and efficiency in administration and operation. (2) Whether tlie scale of passenger fares is such as to produce the best results, having regard to other competitive forms of transport ■ and all other relevant considerations. (3) Whether the issue of concession tickets at present rates and on present conditions is warranted or should be modified or changed, having regard to present economic conditions. (4) Whether the goods tariff is such as to produce the best results, having regard to the charges that various classes of goods can bear economically, and to the competition from other forms of transport. (5) Whether the existing arrangements for the carriage and delivery of parcels and/or goods are best from the point of view of the net earnings of the railways from them, the necessity of meeting competition, co-ordination with the Post Office, or any other relevant consideration. Carriage of Mails. (6) Whether the existing arrangements with the Post Office for the carriage of mails is equitable to the railways. (7) Whether the net returns from various subsidiary services maintained by the Department, such as Lake Wakatipu steamers, refreshment rooms, advertising, dwellings and other buildings, ' road motors, etc., are satisfactory, havin'f regard to the returns obtained from them, "economy in administration and generally all the surrounding circumstances. *'' •■ (8) Whether the existing staff establishment, including casual employees, is. such as to ensure a satisfactory standard of economy and efficiency, and whether staff conditions generally are reasonable. . ... (9) Whether the maintenance _ costs of permanent way works and signals are down to, the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper standard of safety and efficiency in operation. (10) What reserve fund should be set aside from revenue each year to cover depreciation and renewals, including de- ■ ferred maintenance and/or depreciation, and/or renewals, if any, or by way of general reserve. (11) Whether the present arrangements for the maintenance of combined railway and road bridges are equitable to the-railways. •. (12) Whether the rolling stock is being economically maintained at a proper standard of safety and efficiency. The New Workshops. (13) Whether the maximum of benefit is being obtained from the new workshops recently, erected in the four main centres, and whether the volume of necessary work will be sufficient to keep these shops fully occupied; and as to general position of workshops. (14) Whether locomotive transportation costs are down to the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper margin of safety and efficiency in operation. , ' (15) Whether the existing arrangements for purchase, distribution and control of railway stores keep stocks down to the minimum consistent with efficiency, and generally produce the ■ maximum of economy in the use of stores. (16) Whether traffic transportation costs are down to the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper standard of safety and. efficiency in operation, having regard to the amount of service. required under present competitive conditions and to a;iy other relevant consideration. (17) Whether the abandonment of working (either wholly or in part) of any portion or portions of railway system would ■ be justified, having regard to the financial results of operating any such lines, the extent to which the various lines are used and the alternative means of transport for passengers and goods available or feasible. Rights of.Owners. (18) Tq what extent it is possible and. desirable in the interests of the economic welfare of the Dominion to coordinate rail and road transport, having due regard to the rights of owners of road transport services, the necessity of a satisfactory standard of. service, and all other relevant considerations.

(19) Generally to review the administration and financial position of the Government Railways Department and to recommend what, if any, steps might be taken to secure the proper balance of economy, efficiency and satisfactory service.

The report Is to be returned not later than September 1.

Mr. G. W. Reid, accountant, of Dunedin, was asked to accept a seat on the commission, but for health reasons he was unable to do so.