THE RAILWAYS;

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 July 1924, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS;

A £6OOO COMMISSION,

(By Telegraph—Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The Railway Commission. investigating New South Wales' railway affairs is expected to cost £14,000, according to p.ress reports from Sydney, which Mr Forbes (Hurunui) quotecl in the House to-day with the object of ascertaining if New Zealand, when it gets the services of the same commissioners will be obliged to pay a similarly large sum. Mr Forbes asked what arrangements, had been made, because it seemed an enormous sum to pay for a railway investigation. ‘ ‘ Apparently the questioner does not know this Government very well,” replied the Hon. J. G. Coates, who gave a prompt assurance that before arrangements were made with Sir Samuel Fay, Sir Vincent Raven, and the three others associated with them to hold an enquiry into New Zealand, railways it was ascertained that the cost, speaking from memory would not exceed £6000.”

KAILWAY RATES. ANOMALIES TO BE REMOVED. QUESTION OF POLICY. (B? TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) , WELLINGTON. July 8. The Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. G. Coates) informed a deputation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day, which asked when the new railawy tariff schedule would be available-, that the .tariff had to be reprinted and anomalies cleared up, and then the question of policy had to be defined in respect to the readjustment of the tariff, The policy question was receiving amendation now. 'When the reclassifica_ tion of freights was "completed, the various interests would be consulted to ensure that no injustice was done to any particular section. The Minister thought certain powers would have to be taken by an Act giving the management of the railways discretionary authority in connection with meeting the competition of motor vehicles. The situation had to be met.