RAILWAYS CONTROL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 5

RAILWAYS CONTROL.

♦— STRAINED RELATIONS IN NEW ' SOUTH WALES. By Tolegr»ph-rr«Bt AtisoliUon-Oopyrighl 1 Sydney, March 1. Strained relations exist between the Government and the Railway Commissioners on several matters of policy. , The Government instructed the Commissioners to observe an eight hours' day in all grades of the service, but the instruction was not complied with. There U also a disagreement on the question of imported or locally manufactured engines, the Government desiring the latter, and Mr. T. R. Johnson, tho Chief Commissioner, favouring importation.

The appointment of the 'recent Royal Commission to ..inquire ;.Jnto the congestion of tho Darling Island railway yards is regarded-in labour circles as cenmre of Mr. Johnson's management.

The Premier admits that there have been certain disagreements, but denies that a crisis is at hand.

Prior to the year 1888 the control of State Hallways in New South Wales was rested in tho Minister for Works, under tho provisions of the Railways Act, 1858, tho actual management being in the hands of a-Commissioner. In 1888, however, the Act referred to was repealed by a now Act, the object of which was to improve the administration, and to free it from political influences. Under the Act, as amended in 1901, three Commissioners were appointed for a period of seven years, but in 1906 an amending Act was. passed, which provides for the appointment of a Commissioner, with supreme power, an Assistant Commissioner for Railways, and an Assistant.Commissioner for Tramwayß. The Chief Commis- ■ Bioner is required to present an annual Teport to Parliament, through the Minister for Kail ways, setting forth an account of his proceedings, and the revenue and expenditure during the previous year. New lines aro constructed by the railnay and tramway construction branch of the Public Works Department, and on completion are handed over to the control of the Chief Commissioner. Last year Mr. Thrower, a Labour member, asked the State Premier, Mr. H'Gowen 'whether., "in view of the widespread manifestations of dissatisfaction" with tho administration' of the railways by the Chief Commissioner, Mr. Johnson, ho would take into consideration the placing of a sum of money on the Estimates to pay that gentleman for tho unexpired term of his office, and allow him to go back to England. Mr, M'Gowen replied: "I don't think I can give a favourable Tcply to that question.' ■

Lord Willingdon, at a railway dinner at Eastbourne, said he looked forward to the time when electric trains would run betwoen London and Brighton and Eastbourne. ■ Lord Willingdon is a director of tho London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company.