RAILWAY POLICY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16846, 23 September 1922, Page 18

RAILWAY POLICY.

• , MINISTER GIVES GLIMPSE. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, September 22-. Members spent several liours this week when the Railway Statement was tabled in giving the Minister of Railways their views on various aspects of the railway services. The Hon D. H. Guthrie took the opportunity when the Railway estimates were considered in committee to-day of answering some of the more important points. He contended it was inadvisable when administrative changes are being made to retire two capable members of the head office staff who were eligible for superannuation, as they were doing good work and were needed. As for the financial position the Minister said he would give a detailed statement shortly and its effect would he that although there was improvement it was not to the extent he would have desired. The appointment, of tine Railway Board would throw more responsibility on the four heads of branches for the administration of their departments, and this, in conjunction with the work of the commercial agents, would enable the general manager to leave his office to get into personal touch with requirements in various parts of New Zealand. The new commerci.nl agents would enjoy a certain amount of power to remedy small -matters ns they occurred. CHARGES UNDER REVIEW. The whole question of freights and fares was under review, said the Minister, but it, was an involved problem and took a long time to solve. The* department had. however, already removed some anomalies, and there bad been meetings with local people in different parts of New Zealand, with the object of seeing how far the Railway Department could go in meeting their requirements. The Minister definitely rejected suggestions for last limited expresses between Wellington and Auckland, and Christchurch and Invercargill. It would not bo light or desirable, if it were possible, he said. His own opinion was that he should not fix his eyes or» the terminal points alone. There were important points in between, and the deportment's policy was to bring the best facilities to the largest number of people. It was undesirable to turn its efforts to establishing limited fast expresses between Wellington ana Auckland and Christchurch and Invercargill. He agreed with Air Mitchell that whoever held the Railways portfolio had j quite enough to do. The Minister of Railways had few idle moments if bo attended to the details of this big doj partment. in reply to a suggestion that promotion in the Railway Department should he by merit and not according to length of service, the Minister said : “ I quite agree with that, but we are up against the classification list. We cannot bring up a man because be shows exceptional ability. I think that merit should he the guiding factor-and not length of service.” 0 ■■■■ ■