THE RAILWAYS.

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1926, Page 8

THE RAILWAYS.

NEW BOARDS. FOR ADVISORY’ ITRI’OSES. The Minister of Railways has issued a circular as follows: —As outlined hi the Annual Railway Statement, the Government has decided to encourage the establishment of District Advisory Boards on railway matters, in order to form a common meeting-ground between the users of the railway and the Railway Department for the better understanding of railway problems, and to engender a spirit of co-operation and mutual assistance. The undermentioned are suggested as some of the conditions of establishment: The Advisory Boards to deal with I transportation problems, and all milliters of mutual concern to the user and to the Railway Department. Business Agents and other selected Railway officers to be in attendance nt meetings to impart information or collect material for reports to management, the conclusions readied by the Boards to be placed before the Department through the Divisional SuperinI tondent and Commercial Manager of

Railways. The associations to lie voluntary. I he organisation to be dependent upon public opinion supporting its activiComplaints and suggestions lo receive immediate attention, and to be adjusted to the satisfaction of the public, or substantial reasons given as to why such course is not possible. The Department to give freely in- ! formation of public interest on Bail--1 way matters, to acknowledge frankly Liny disabilities, and to advise what -is being done to adjust them. I It is suggested that two District AdIvisory Boards be established in each | Island, to embrace the territories indicated:—Auckland: All territory from Ohakunc northwards, including GisI borne: Wellington : All territory from lOhakune southwards, and including I Nelson and I’icton districts; Christ elmreli: All territory from Gionavy and mirth thereof, including West Coast: Dunedin: All territory from south ot G lenavy. Tin* Hoards should consist of representatives of the various interests and public bodies, and representatives from Committees set up al other towns within the jurisdiction of the Board. Probably a satisfactory arrangement would be for the secretarial duties of the Advisory Board to bo in the hands of the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce at Auckland, Wellington. Christchurch, and Dunedin respectivn-

It is also suggested that Committees be appointed at other important centres to wprk in conjunction with the District Advisory Boards on matters of common interest. On questions of purely local interest these Committees .should function in a similar manner to the Boards. They should be set up Hi a similar manner to the District Advisory Boards, and appoint represen tali: ives thereto. The Boards would 'le Icide as to the localities where such Committees arc to be established. Advice of the date and place, of all Board and Committee meetings, with a copy of the agenda paper, should bo sent to the Divisional Superintendent of Railways, Auckland or Christchurch, and the Commercial Manager, Railways, Wellington, in order that arrangements may be made for the Department to be represented. The Railway Department’s representative would, whenever possible, deal finally with matters introduced at the meetings; but if this cannot be done-he would arrange for the representations to be conveyed to the proper quarter. It is expected that Boards will communicate with each other upon matters of common interest. A pro forma of suggested constitution land rules is attached hereto. It is suggested that a. meeting of interested I persons be called in each locality by the Chamber of Commerce or like body, with a view to the establishment of the scheme. I should like representatives to attend from the Chambers of Commerce, Farmers’ Unions, Dairy Associations, Industrial Associations. Progress Leagues, timber-millers, coalmine owners, and all other bodies in forested in Kailway affairs. ' It is considered that more detailed matters such as mentioned below might l o brought before the Boards when the latter have commenced to function:- • Estimating and forecasting the probI able demand for wagons for seasonal lof fluctuating traffic; regulating despatch of consignments to stores and (ships in order to avoid congestion a,»d | the holding up of wagons that should i .be available for traders; speeding up loading and unloading and obtaining [maximum loading of wagons; clearance of inward goods from railway sheds; arranging preference to specially urgent traffic; despatch of goods to railway sheds during the day to avoid congestion at closfr of day; organising and regulating despatch of live-stoc •, farm produce, and farmers ’ •requisites, co-ordinating the Department’s efforts with the requirements of the user, ami 40 eliminating misunderstandings; generally, to assist transportation by co-operative organisation tending .towards the general welfare of both Lie ’ Department and its clients. Let me emphasize, in conclusion, that we aim at not only a passive n’quiescence on the part of the public a , our doings', but their active c:o-ope.:i--tion and assistance to make our ser- ! vicesJbetter and better; and I am salt - tied that it is only by taking our cu ;- tomers fullv into our confidence nr.-.l placing all the cards upon the ta be that we can hope to arouse in them 1.10 I fullest measure of active eo-operntmn. It cannot be gainsaid that the TLu ■ avs arc the greatest economic, fact-r lin the welfare of the Dominion, and (that the prosperity of the r.arw.i" J.mil of the community are interdcpe.i-

dent. Jam hopeful that the seln" c set out heiVin will bo taken up with Enthusiasm, and that the organisation 'will produce a spirit of toleration and .'confidence tending towards harmonious working and the common welfare.