RAILWAYS BOARD NOT FUNCTIONING

Northern Advocate, 9 March 1936, Page 7

RAILWAYS BOARD NOT FUNCTIONING

STATEMENT BY MINISTER [Per Press Association. — Copyright.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, stated on Saturday that although the Railways Board will legally remain in existence until legislation providing for its abolition is passed by Parliament, it had already ceased to function. The Bill, which would have the effect of abolishing the board and vesting full control of railways In the Minister had already been prepared, and it would be introduced early in the session.. However, until the Bill became law, everything had still to be done in the . name of the board, but members had voluntarily approached him and offered their full co-operation by ceasing to function as a board. Mr. Sullivan said that members of the board had met him very fairly in the matter, stating they fully recognised that Ministerial control of the Railway Department was a definite part of the Government’s policy, and they had no desire to place any obstacles in the way of that policy being carried out. In the meantime, added Mr Sullivan, the general manager was acting as the controlling head, in full consultation with himself as Minister,