RAILWAYS COMMISSION

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16925, 20 September 1919, Page 2

RAILWAYS COMMISSION

ORDER OF REFERENCE.

Special to the •"'Herald.''

'' WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. , In the House this afternoon the Premier, as Minister of Railways, read the order of reference given to Messr.r Joseph P. Maxwell, James Marchbanks and William D. Hunt, who hare-been appointed. a Commission to inquire into tjae following matters, coii"nt;eteJ ■ with !.fhe. Railways:— ~ Condition of rolling stock on 2nd July, 1919; whether,such rolling stock had been maintained in; good: and efficient condition, and whether proper provision had been made- for the upkeep and renewal thereof. ! . _ Whether the number of 'engines; car-, riages, and wagons. : .under ropuir on 2nd July, 1919, was excessive,. and whether any inspector or - other officer had reported adversely on the .condition, and upkeep of rolling, stock. . - . • Whether the curtailment .' of train ■setvices made on 2nd-. July,. ; .1919, was due to the unsafe-condition of rolling stock. • ' . -

Whether an excessive, number of c'ligines, carnages, and wagons had been- passed - t'hrough the repair shops since 2nd July, 1911. Whether the curtailment of the traiti services ivas brotigh.it about solely by the shortage of coal, and what- reserve stock of ooal was held by the Department on 2nd July, 1919. ■' Causes to which the depletion, if any! of stocks of coal was due; wH'iitfier proper diligence and foresight . were exercised by the Railway Department in obtaining coal supplies to meet, requirements.

.Whether the Department = was Lrought under 'the jurisdiction of the Coal Trade Committees or other authorities under the Coal Trade Reflations and rationed in the same way as other industries, and if so whether tli0: Deportment regularly kept such- committees or authorities apprised of it? requirements.

Whether the Department used its or-' ganisation. in co-operation with such committees or authorities, for the purpose of obtaining coal and maintaining ■stocks for railway purposes.

AA nether all the coal obtained for and all-oca ted t-o the Railway Department under the Ooal Trade Regulations was delivered to the Department, and whether and 'to what extent coal allot, ted for railway purposes was diverted to other industries. Whether the diversion of. coal ft urn the railways to other industries detrimentally aft'e-ct-ed the position of the railway coal reserves.

Whether the Railway Department kept closely in touch wit-li overseas ooal supppliers with a view to supplementing the supplies obtained through the Coal Trade Commmi'ttees.

Whether the staff of the Department was of .sufficient strength on 2nd July, 1919, to have enabled the ordinary timetable in operation on that date to be maintained had other conditions been satisfactory. Whether the restrictions imposed on the carriage of passengers and goods were essential. Whether the curtailment made in the : train service was due t-o causes other than a short-age of ooal.

Mr P. Maxwell is -appointed chairin nn_ of the Commission, . which is authorised to take evidence at Jwli time and place as' it th'nks fit, and is to report by October 20.