STATE RAILWAYS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18041, 9 June 1930, Page 6

STATE RAILWAYS.

METHOD OF RUNNING.

SOME PERTINENT QUERIES. ——— *» LOOKING FOR THE LEAKAGES. ' ;(By “Investigator.") ? The losses on the New Zealand railways have reached a stage where light is needed. In an endeavour to get the needed rays “ Investigator ’’ proposes to insert in this column from time to , time, some pertinent questions consequent upon railway administration, in the hope that somebody will answer them. It’s probably a folorn hope, but as he has a sympathetic leaning towards lost causes, including State railways, there’s no harm in trying. Here goes for a start, with plenty more in reserve. 1. The railway refreshment service is nothing to boast about. Its ramifications are not very extensive either. Does it warrant an officer at the head of it drawing th 6 salary of £715? Would not £3OO be more in keeping with the work and responsibilities Involved? Would it not be better to let out the whole service to private contract? 2. Among the higher paid officers comes an artist, £565 per annum. What does he do for that? In what spheres of the art world may we see his effusions? Posters and advertising? Would it not be cheaper to let that out on contract? 3. Is it correct that the siding at Amokura cost ten times the estimate? If-so, who was responsible? Was he fined for incompetency? If not, why not? That’ll do for a start. Be it understood that when questioning salaries there is nothing personal in it. It is not the individual, but the wage.