The Government Railways Bill

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 34, 9 August 1893, Page 2

The Government Railways Bill

THE MINISTER AND THE COMMISSIONES. In the Bill to be introduced by the Government, dealing with the control of the railways, clause 2 provides that Part 1 of the Act shall come into operation on January 23rd, 1894, nnd Part 11. on the Ist January of the same year, The third clause stated that a Minister of the Crown shall be appointed, to be called the Minister for Railways, who in addition to the authorities and dignities conferred upon him by this Bill, shall have all the powers in respect of the Government railways (except that of taking land for railway purposes) which the Minister for Public Works has exercised, mid shall be a member of the Executive, with either of the offices of Minister of Defence or Minister of Education. Clause 4 provides that the Minister be ex officio a Commissioner of Railways, but without salary, in addition to three otiier Commissioners. The Minister shall exercise all the powers of a Commissioner, shall preside at their meetings, and shall have a deliberative vote, and a second or casting vote in case of an equality of votes, Section 8 of the existing Government Railways Act is repealed. Every Commissioner shall hold office during good behaviour ; that any Commissioner may be suspended for inability, inefficiency, mismanagement, etc., but may be restored to office if an address to that effect is presented from both Houses of Parliament, and that a Commissioner shall forfeit his office by bankruptcy, by engaging in any employment outside his duties as a Commissioner, by absenting himself from duty for 14 days without leave, by becoming interested in any contract made by or on behalf of the Commissioners, or by receiving any fee or commission from any company or person contracting for or using any railway. Commissioners shall receive a salary not exceeding £1000 per annum. Clause 9 authorises the Minister to dotermine situations for stations, etc., but that he shall first hear the advice ef the Commissioners. Under clause 11, every contract for work above 4:100 in value must be submitted for public teuder, while the railway estimates must be laid before the Government before being presented to Parliament. Clause 12 provides that without an Order-in-Council.the Commissioners shall not increase any salary over £300 a year, or appoint or promote any person to any office the salary of which is over that amount.