D.-4

1930. NEW ZEALAND

RAILWAYS COMMISSION (REPORT OF THE).

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Command.

COMMISSION TO INQUIRE AND REPORT AS TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF INCREASING THE REVENUE AND DECREASING THE EXPENDITURE OF THE NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. Bledisloe, Governor-General. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Robert Masters, Esquire, of Stratford; John Dryden Hall, Esquire, of Christchurch; Richard William McVilly, Esquire, of Wellington; and James Marchbanks, Esquire, of Wellington : Greeting. Whereas there is need in the public interest that the greatest possible economy consistent with safety and efficiency and the usefulness of the railways to the people of New Zealand shall be exercised in the administration of the New Zealand Railways : And whereas it is expedient that inquiry shall be made into the working of the various activities of the Department with a view to improving its finance and thus reduce the burden placed on taxpayers : Now, therefore, I, Charles, Baron Bledisloe, the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, do hereby constitute and appoint you, the said Robert Masters, John Dryden Hall, Richard William McVilly, James Marchbanks, to be a Commission 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 organization of the Department is such as to produce the maximum of economy and efficiency in administration and operation.

I—D. 4.