RAILWAYS AND THE PUBLIC.

Wairarapa Age, 26 October 1926, Page 2

RAILWAYS AND THE PUBLIC.

ADVISORY BOARDS. LOCAL ACTION INVITED. On the recommendation of the Minister of Railways, the Government has decided to facilitate the establishment of District Advisory Boards on railway matters in order to form a common meeting ground between the users of the railways and the department for a better understanding on matters of railway transport. It is suggested that four boards be set up, two in each Island. The boards are to be comprised of representatives of chambers of commerce, farmers’ unions, dairy associations, industrial associations, progress leagues, timber millers, mine owners and others interested in railway matters. It is also suggested that committees be appointed at other important centres to work in conjunction -with the District Board. The principal work of the boards will be transportation problems, prompt attention to complaints or suggestions from the public, estimating the probable demand for wagons for seasonal traffic, regulating the dispatch of consignments, speeding up loading and unloading, arranging preference to urgent traffic, organising and regulating dispatch of live stock' farm produce and farmers’ requisites, and generally to assist transportation by co-operative organisation tending towards the general welfare of both the Department and its clients. An official circular containing these and other particulars suggests that, a meeting of interested persons be called in each locality by the chamber of commerce or like body with a view to the establishment of the scheme. The board to llj established in the southern half of the North Island will have its headquarters at Wellington and will act for all North Island territory'from Ohakune southward and also for the Nelson and Picton districts.