VICTORIAN RAILWAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 15

VICTORIAN RAILWAYS.

Melbourne, September 18. The Railway Inquiry Board recommend the abolition of the railway system as a department of the State, and its entire separation from the general public service. The board further suggest the creation of a board entitled "The Victorian Railway Trustees," in whom should be vested the BQpreme control of the railways, the board to consist of five members, including one Minister of the Grown, and the remaining four to be men of acknowledged independence, probity, and business capacity, and entirely unassociated with active politics, they to be appointed for three years, after which one is to retire annually ; all surplus revenue to be paid into the Treasury, and all expenditure other than ordinary working

expenses to be voted by Parliament before being incurred. Tbe Railway Board found the salaries and wages ia excess of those ruling outside the department and on British and Amerioan railways, whilst the salaries of responsible officers are lower. Pensions and compensations imposed an extraordinary burden on tho revenue during 1804, and this year th« payment under these heads reached LBO,OOO. The board found the service as a whole disorganised if not demoralised. There wen seven associations os to Wished with the avowed object of enabling their members to protect their rights and privileges. Tbe effects of politloal influence were manifest throughout tbe system, and contributed to destroy discipline by averting punishment from those liable to dismissal for drunkenness and theft. The rates were not excessive, but badly adjusted.