THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1736, 6 September 1919, Page 11

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

INQUIRY PROMISED.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

fFrom Our Own Parliamentary Reporter.] l WELLINGTON, September 5. Matters affecting the railway "cut"—or "gash," as Mr H. E. Holland (Grey) picturesquely terms itwere again before the House this afternoon. Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) asked if, in view of the improved outlook, Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, as i Minister of Railways, could arrange for at least one train per week from Kaiapoi to Bennetts, where the entire service had been cancelled. _ The Prime Minister could not give any definite statement for the moment It would be some little time, he said, before the service could be brought back to its usual efficiency, but improvements would be made from time to time. Considerable quantities of coal for New Zealand were now afloat, some from Australia and some from America. The most important industry of the country was the railway system. It was *"the" industry, and it had the first claim on coal supplies. Hon. A. M. Myers (Auckland East): Next to the-freezing companies. Mr Massey: Yes I Next freezing companies. Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) asked when it was proposed to set up.the Roval Commission to inquire j into the causes of the railway "cut." 0 ' Mr Massey replied that he had been inquiring to-day, with a view to securing the services (of three suitable men to take on the work. It might not be a Royal Commission; it might be a Commission under • the Commissions Act. Mr Holland asked if it would be possible to include a railway worker as a member of that Commission. The Prime Minister could not promise that, but he said that, no doubt, evidence would be called from railway workers. Hon. A.M. Myers: You could not allow an employee to sit on the Commission. m Hon. G.W7 Russell (Avon) again inquired if the Government proposed to set up a Committee of the House to consider, the matter of the railway "cut" He considered that such a committee would be as competent as —and probably more competent to conduct the" inquiry than—a Royal Commission, and he asked if the House would be given an opportunity of expressing its preference. Mr Massey replied that, if the session were to be of ordinary length, there might be something in the hon. member's contention, but this session could not be a long one.

SUPPLEMENTARY MOTOR SERVICE. Prut* Association. WELLINGTON, September 6. The Railway Department announces that a petrol motor service ■wll be run next week from Wellington to the Hutt, using a motor driven car and -trailer to supplement the ordinary trains. v • —•