THE RAILWAYS BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18466, 30 January 1922, Page 6

THE RAILWAYS BILL

, J WAGES AND CLASSIFICATION. , ■ ' CHANGES IN REGULATIONS. OTSOtI Om Own COBBXSPOHDXNT.t WELLINGTON, January 28. , Tho Government Railways Amendment i Bill, which was introduced in the early hours of this morning, repeals the schedule of the 1320 Act detailing the classification ; and wages of tho second division of the , service, substituting a new schedule om--1 bodying ■ the terms of the agreement en- . teredinto with the society at tho beginning of last year. Tho new I rates are to ce subject to tho modifications provided by the Public Expenditure Adjustment Act, which has just been passed. A new danse is added to the provisions of, the 1908 Act, to give to .railway officers discretionary power to prevent breaches of the by-laws where such appear to be im- : minent, and where the breach would be dangerous to the public or would interfere 1 with the proper working of the railways. A penalty of £lO is provided for breaches ’ -af .the, section of the original Act regulat-aig,the-speed of motor care at railway crossyningsr . The license fee of earners plying for hire at-railway stations is increased from 10s to ' £1 '. . ■ , ■ ■ Statutory authority is to be given to tho Minister to appoint boards of inquiry to . inquire into anv matters connected with the administration of the Government Rail- . ways Act, or the control, maintenance, or working of the railways, and these boards are to be given the full powers vested in commissions of inquiry. Authority is -to be given to local bodies , to enter into agreements with the Minist- t-er- for tho construction of bridges over, or subways under, any railway line within „ their districts, and to bear the whole or a Portion of the cost of the work. The Dill will be discussed on Monday night.