DOMINION RAILWAYS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18048, 17 June 1930, Page 8

DOMINION RAILWAYS.

PERSONNEL OF COMMISSION.

THE ORDER OF REFERENCE.

AN EXHAUSTIVE INQUIRY.

{By Teleyrapli press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday,

The Railway Commission has been announced as follows: —Messrs Masters (chairman), Hall, McVilly, and Marchbanks.

The order of reference is to inquire and report as to the possibilities of increasing the revenue and decreasing the expenditure of the New' Zealand Railways, and more particularly—- . (1) Whether the general organisation of the department is such as to produce the maximum of economy and efficiency in administration and operation. ... (2) Whether the scale of passenger fares is such as to produce the best results, having regard to other competitive forms of transport, and all other relevant considerations. (3) Whether the issue of concession tickets at present rates and on present conditions is warranted or should be modified or changed, having regard to present economic conditions. (4) Whether the goods tariff is such as to produce the best results, having regard to the charges that the various classes of goods can bear economically and the competition from other forms of transport. (5) Whether the existing arrangements for the carriage and delivery of parcels and goods are best from the point of view of the net earnings of the railways hencefrom the necessity of meeting competition, co-ordin-ation with the Post Office, or any other relevant consideration. Carriage of Malls. (6) Whether the existing arrangements with • the Post Office for the carriage of mails is equitable to the railways. (7) Whether the net returns from the various subsidiary services maintained by the Department, such as the Lake Wakatipu steamer, refreshment rooms, advertising, dwellings and other buildings, road motors, etc., are satisfactory, having regard to the returns obtained therefrom, economy in administration, and generally all the surrounding circumstances. (8) Whether the existing staff establishment, including casual employees, is such as to ensure a satisfactory standard of economy and efficiency, and whether the staff conditions generally are reasonable. (9) Whether the maintenance costs of the permanent way works and signals are down to the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper standard of safety and efficiency in operation. (10) What reserve fund should be set aside from the revenue each year to cover depreciation and renewals, including deferred maintenance and/or depreciation and/or renewals, if any, or by way of general reserve. | Railway and Road Bridges. (11) Whether the present arrangements for. the,maintenance of combined railway and road bridges are equitable to the railways. . (12) Whether the rolling-stock is being economically maintained at a proper standard of safety and efficiency. (13) Whether the maximum of benefit is being from the new workshops recently erected in the four main centres, and whether the volume of necessary work will be sufficient to keep these shops fully occupied, and as to the general position of the workshops. (14) . Whether locomotive transportation costs are down to the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper margin of safety and efficiency in operation. (15) Whether the existing arrangements for the purchase, distribution and control of railway stores keep stocks down to the minimum consistent with efficiency, and generally produce the maximum of economy in the use of the stores. (16) Whether the traffic transportation costs are down to the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper standard of safety and efficiency in operation, having regard to the amount of service required under the present competitive conditions, and to any other relevant consideration. (17) Whether the abandonment of the working (either wholly or in part) of any portion or portions of the railway system would be justified, having regard to the financial results of operating any such lines, the extent to which the various lines are used, and alternative means of transport for passengers and goods available or feasible. ~ • Co-ordination of Traffic. (18) To what extent it is possible and desirable, in the interests of the economic welfare of the Dominion, to co-ordinate rail and road transport, having due regard to the rights of owners of road transport services, the necessity of a satisfactory standard of service and all other relevant consideartions. • (19) Generally to review the administration and financial position of the Government Railways Department, and to recommend what, if any,- steps might be taken to secure a proper balance of economy, efficiency, and satisfactory service. The report is to be returned not later than September 1. Mr G. W. Reid, accountant, of Dunedin, was asked to accept a seat on the commission, but for health reasons was unable to do so.