THE RAILWAYS BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 7

THE RAILWAYS BOARD

TERMINATION OF SERVICES VALUE OF WORK RECOGNISED Recognising that the action of the Railways Board in voluntarily ceasing to function is tantamount to the resignation of the members of their positions, the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution last night expressing appreciation of the board’s services. Tiie president (Mr M. S. Myers) stated that, ns the chambers of commerce had been strejpg advocates of the establishment of the board, it was fitting that they should place on record their recognition of the service which the board had rendered. He submitted the following resolution : —“ The announcement that the members of the Railway Board have tendered their resignations to the Government has been received by the chamber with regret. For several years prior to the appointment of a board the chambers of commerce of the Dominion urged that the railways should be removed from political control and placed In the hands of a board. The board was duly appointed and bad the full confidence of the commercial community. Without cavilling at the policy of the Government to work without a board, wc think it a pity to place Ministers of the Crown and members of Parliament in the invidious position of being subject to political pressure from constituents when the granting of their requests may be uneconomic from a national point of view. We would like to record our appreciation of the good work done by the Railways Board.”

Mr M. Stewart said that the board had reduced the loss on the Railways Account and in general had done excellent work, satisfying passengers as well as those who received and sent goods. The policy of the board, while it had been in office, had been the most satisfactory from the point of view of national finance.

The resolution submitted by the chairman was adopted.