RAILWAY COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 304, 19 September 1919, Page 8

RAILWAY COMMISSION

" v ORDER OF REFERENCE

WIDE FIELD OF INQUIRY

The order of reference of the Commission to inquire into and report respeotinsr tho curtailment of train sorvices on July 2 last was announced to tho House of Representatives by the Minister of Railways .(Mr. Massey) yesterday. .

The members of tho Commission are Messrs. J. P. Maxwell (chairman), James Marchbanks. and W. D. Hunt, and they are to report on the following matters: 1. The condition of the rolling stock on July' 2. 1919. , 2,.,Wheth,er suoh rolling stock has been maintained in a good and efficient condition', and'whether proper provision has been made for the upkeep and renewal thereof.'-v'-" ■' ■

3. Whether the number of engines, carriages, and wagons under repair l on July fi.. 1919. was excessive.. '"4. Whether any inspeotor or other officer having charge or rolling stock and responsible for its condition ias reported adversely on tho condition and upkeep of the rolling stock. • fi. -Whether the curtailment of train services made on July 2, 1919, was due to the unsafe condition of the rolling stock, fi. Whether an excessive number of engines^'Carriages, and wagons has been passed 'through the repair shops since Jtlly 2/1919: L \ 1, Whether tho curtailmont of tram services was brought about solely by shortage of coal., and what reserve,stock of coal was held by tie Department on Julv 2. 1019. ••■..'

8/The causes to which the depletion, if.ftilv.-of stocks of coal was due. '9. Whether proper diligence and foresight were exercised by the Railway Department iu obtaining coal supplies to meet its requirements. 10. Whether the Department was brought under the jurisdiction- of the coal trndo committees or other authorities under tho Coal Trado Regulations and rationed in the same way as other industries; and, if so, whether the Department regularly kept such committees ,or authorities apprised of its require, ments. ' , .. 11. Whethor the Department used its organisation in" co-operation with suoh committees or authorities, for the _ purpose, of-obtaining coal and maintaining atocis for railway purposes. 12. Whether all the coal obtained for and allocated to the Eailway Department under the Coal Trade Regulations was delivered..to the Department, and whether and to what exto-it coal allocated for railway purposes was .diverted to other industries. . ' 13. Whether the diversion of coal from the railways to other industries detrimentally affected the position of the railway coal reserves. ■ ■, , .14. Whether tho Eailway Department kept closely in touch with.overseas coal suppliers with a view to supplementing supplies obtained through the coal trade committees. - . 15. 'Whethor the staff of tho Department was of sufficient strength on July 2. 1919. to have enabled the ordinary time-table in operation on that date to be maintained had other conditions been satisfactory. ■ . 16. x Whether the restrictions imposed on tho carriage of passengers and goods were essential. • • ' . . 17. Whether the curtailment made in the train services was due to causes other than shortage of coal. The Commission is to report not later than October 20. ' ' Tho Hon. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) suggested that the orderof reference ought to include a question as to whether the amount of coal availablo Tvas'distributed'in the national interests, having' regard" to the requirements of industry and other purposes. 'The Prime Minister said it was too late to .amend the order of reference. He lhad-no doubt that officers who had been connected with coal, distribution would-be able to'give evidence before the commission. '..'.-.

Mr. Myers: When will they sit? Mr. Massey replied mat the manure of the.commission would arrange di.tes. They, had to'report within a month.