THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 9

THE RAILWAYS.

MODERN CONTROL SYSTEM. The English Commission of railway experts, which is about to investigate the New Zealand railways, has had put before it in Sydney by Sir Mark Sheldon, president of the New South Wales Chamber of Commerce, proposals emb'odying radical changes in the modern system of railway control.

'The proposals are:— That the present system does not give commissioners that full measure of control that they should have. The State debt, on behalf of the railways, should be allocated! as the capital of the railways, and separate stock—■ guaranteed by the State—issued for the same. All future moneys raised for railway purposes Bhould be by railway bonds guaranteed by the State. . .

That the railway commissioners publish a balance-sheet in the ordinary way, as a trading concern. That the commissioners should provide primarily for a return of capital, so as to cover interest chargeable on the bonds, provide for replacements and depreciation, and, to a. certain extent, future extensions and improvements.

That there be five commissioners—a railway expert traffic man, a railway construction or maintenance man, a business man with broad knowledge a financial man or an accountant, and a man accustomed to handling men and a large staff on modern lines. That the commissioners should, before any extensions or new railways are built, have the right of approv-. ing or otherwise. That special consideration should be given to electric traction, as a substitute for the present method of haulage, and that the railways be authorised to sell electric power. That, in regard! to the competition of motor transport consideration should be given to building modern motortraction roads as feeders to existing railways. That the railway commissioners should work under the Common Carriers' Act.