THE RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1661, 30 January 1913, Page 5

THE RAILWAY.

A RUMOUR EMPHATICALLY DENIED, ••■' (By Telegraphi-Press Association.) '..' ' . :■ Christchurch; January 29.1 ■ A'message from Wellington received tfr day- states that it is; freely rumoured in railway circles that 'it is the intention of . the Government' to appoint a general manager of railways-from applicants from abroad,>rid if successful at the next gen-' erat/elections they will pass an Act making. him (the commissioner) outside political, control. The Ministerial contention/ it is-stated, is that, by this means they will rid. themselves of a huge amount of. trouble and responsibility, at the saiiie tintp giving the new manager an opportunity of effecting asaving, which if carTied out'by the Minister/ would result in endless; deputations, and possibly politi- : cal trouble..-:...' ~,. ' ;-, . 'The statement was referred to the Hon.: F. J M.'B. Fisher by a reporter this afternoon.. . The ',Minister; denied.absolutely; that .there was any truth in any of the 1 ' 'statements,'and ho remarked .that V the originator of the ; rumburs . iseemed •'.to' know : mdre abblit; the; matter than the' Government.' ",,Mr. Fisher: pointed, out .^hat'the applications for,the position lad. Jot: jet. been received by the Government, far .less considered, "The .matter of constituting the general of railways ; ivcpmmissioner has never oeen suggested by the Government," concluded tho Minister:-':;;:' .'■':'.'.'-..■ .", .-''-'..'■."'"■'• ,'■'. ■'.'