RAILWAY CONTROL?

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1382, 7 March 1912, Page 5

RAILWAY CONTROL?

CABINET V,. COMMISSIONERS.; By Tel«rapli-Prese 'Aeeoclalion-CoDjrljht , Sydney, March 0. The Government's TOfluost to tlio Railway Commissioners for the institution of i nn eight-hour tiny on Hie Taihvnys met with a point-blank refusal. Cnbinot discussed the position-.without reaching any definite clecisiou. THREAT TO ItEMOVK COMMISSIONER (liec. March 7, 0.25 n.in.) Sydney, March C. Mr. Trolle, honorary Minister, in e-.u iiitiTvien- regarding railway management, said the Government was determined to .see Hint its instructions were carried out. if the Commissioner sets up any harrier against reform the Government would xemovo him. SOME POINTS OF DIFFERENCE. H has been well known in political circles ioi- some lime post (says (lie .Sydney Morning Herald") that the present Government does not get on very well with iho Chief Commissioner for' nailways, Mr. Johnson. The new Treasurer, Mr. Dncey, is well known to have been extremely hostile to the Commissioner's manner of doing things, and, us he is the Minister nominally with the railways in Ins Uepartmc.it, the trouble lias grown since ho took office. One result- .\ras the appointment « while ago of a Uoynl Commission to inquire into the congestion at: Barling Island. This was regarded by members of the party as a kind of censure movement on Mr. Johnson's management. ]n the Legislative Assembly on. Wo.diie.sday of Inst weolc, suinn riiiostions -wore, asked as to engines, and the cancellation of some (rains owing to the lack of hauling power. Tliis tines/ion is one thfit lias been exercising the Government it) its dealings with tho Chief Commianonei , . The Government policy has been that. I lie engines should be manufactured locally, and on the- Chief Commissioner djisiring to import a number there was disagreement. Mr. M'Gowen statcy.l that instructions were convoyed to the Chief Commissioner that an eight hours day wn-s to be observed in all grades of tlw service, but. when questioned as to whether those "instructions" were being carried cut tho answer conveyed the indication.that (ho proposal to engraft tho Government', policy on (o tho Unilwny. Commissioners had not met with success. Incidentally, however, it is understood that there is no dear'.lock on the subject, which is still under negotiation or consideration. A point upon which the Ministry finds itself in n position not to its liking Ls in respect to the railway funds. When last year the Chief Commissioner was informed that his loan estimates would liayc to bo cut don'u by a largo amount, he is reported to have told the Government that if that, were dono ho , would take, tho amount be was to be deprived of in tho Estimates out of the railway revenue.