The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1924. RAILWAY REPORT.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16174, 27 December 1924, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1924. RAILWAY REPORT.

The Royal Commissioners, Sir Sam Fay and Sir Vincent Raven, who were appointed to investigate and report on matters connected with the management qf the Government Railways, have submitted their findings in a comprehensive document. All will agree with Hon. J. G. Coates, the Minister in charge, that the report is a valuable one, and the recommendations are such that they will receive the endorsement of the general public. There are a few radical changes recommended, and some of those that are suggested are already in process of adoption, indicating that the Minister had practically forestalled the Commission's recommendations. The Commission suggested that the system of control by a General Manager should be changed to a Board of Control consisting of three members, and this has already been approved by Cabinet and two members of the new Board appointed. The proposals regarding decentralisation had long been recognised by the public as necessary if the railways were to be made popular. One of the greatest grounds of complaint hitherto has been the inability of local officials to give a commonsensc interpretation to Departmental regulations, which have been deemed to be of castiron, whereas in the majority of cases it is desirable that they should be capable of being considerably stretched. This it is proposed to ensure by plaoing more responsibility upon the shoulders of district officers 'to secure administration partaking more of the personal element. Many hard things have been said about the Department's officers in the past which were quite undeserved, for they have been so bound by regulation that they have been helpless. The Department has never encouraged initiative amongst its officers, and has been prone to reprimand the adventurous spirit who has had the temerity to display it. The Commissioners in their rapid trip throughout New Zealand evidently kept their eyes open. They give credit where it is due, but are not dilatory in picking out the weak points in the administration. They emphasise many items of detail in which reform is necessary. Some of these might almost be characterised as

trifles, but their bearing upon general efficiency is important, and in that regard cannot be ignored. Many valuable suggestions are made for popularising the lines for goods traffic, the keynote being that the Department should seek, not wait for, business. Caut/on is advised in regard to the reduction of rates for good's, and it is urged that the railways should receive credit for the concessions in freight granted to other Departments. Dealing with passenger traffic it is pointed out that New Zcalandcrs make less use of their railways for travelling than do the people of other Australian States, and the inauguration of cheaper excursion fares is urged in order to popularise railway travelling. It is also advised that tourist traffic should be encouraged, and that the policy should be to provide faster services to as far as' possible eliminate mixed trains and to make more use of engine power, the idea being that if the facilities are provided the public will avail themselves of them, to the mutual advantage both of the owners and the administrators of the lines. We think with the Minister Commission's report is a valuable one, and, if the recommendations are generally adopted, it will do much to put the Dominion's railways on a better basis.