VICTORIAN RAILWAY REFORM.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11500, 5 February 1903, Page 5

VICTORIAN RAILWAY REFORM.

PLAIN SPEAKING BY THE PREMIER. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received February 4th, 10.32 a.m.) ■MELBOURNE, February 4. In the State Assembly, the Premier, moving the eecond reading of the Railway Commissioners' Bill, said a saving had already been effected ny- the railway management during th« present financial year of £150,000. Hβ urged that the railwaye must be managed on business lines, and where on employe© was found to be incompetent he should be dismissed, instead of his Buperioiß having to formulate charges against him. The Bill proposes the appointment of three commissionere. Apparently the GorenHmtjb have altered their mind* about the appointment of commissioners during the laet few days. At a Electing of the Cabinet lat& week it was deoided that a, BUI should be introduced in the Assembly authorising the appointment of Air Fitzpotrick as Aoting-Commiauoner for a further period of six months, dating from 2nd February. Tho Minister explained that Mr Fitzpatrick will in the firet instance be installed in the position for three months, and afterwards, if for another three months. "I think we will be. in a position to appoint a permanent manager of the railways In three months," he observed. "At any rate we can do it within the six months, andi the Government does not intend to bring in, another extending BUI. We have not yet been, able to coaolude arrangements with a suitable man, 'but I think we. should shortly hare the matter fixed up- Of course the roanaigemeot Bill which I am preparing is not confined solely to the question c£ a comjmsaionor; it will cover m*ny matters of railway policy. I will be prepared to introduce the BiH in three or four months."