TRANSPORT DICTATOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 178, 23 April 1919, Page 8

TRANSPORT DICTATOR

L'OWEKS TO FIX TAKES, WAGES, AND TKAM'IC CHARGES. The Bill setting up the Ministry of Wavs ot Communication very clearly defines the'vast powers to be given to the Minister of Transport. The whole object is to improve the means of and facilities for transport, and to this end Orders-in-Council may transfer to the Transport Minister all (ho powers of any Government Department relating to Jiailways and light railways; Tramways; ' , Canals, waterways, and inland navigations: , Roads, bridges, and ferries, and vehicles and traffic- thereon; • Harbours, docks, and piers; and The supply of electricity. . ■ . "With a view to affording time for the consideration and formulation of the policy to bo pursued as to the future' of tlie railways, the Minister is to continue the present form of control. He has power to take possession of all private 'railway, wagons and of barges and tusw used on canals, whether controlled hf railways or not. Kailway directors and servants shall obey his orders as to rates, fares, and charges, salaries, wages, and conditions of employment, improve-, incuts, and alterations to lines, co-opera-tive working, and ust> of rolling stock, and shall present their accounts in any form ho directs. Ilv Oi'der-iu-Ccuncil the Minister 1 may be empowered at any time to lease or tmivhiw by agreement or eompulsorily any of the forms of transport, subject to tlie Hunts of local authorities to .our tramways; and he may also establish and work new transport undertakings. The Minister's salary is to bo JCSO(K) a| year.