The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY. JUNE 12th. 1924. THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY. JUNE 12th. 1924. THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Apart from the enquiry to open next week into the grievances of the rnilwaynten before the Arbitration Court, the Government has decided to ask two railway experts who are now enquiring into tlie management of the New South Wales railways, to similarly report on the New Zealand lines. This decision is probably to appease popular clamour for the reform of the railways. It has Ireen known, however, that for many months—a year or more—the Minister of Railways (TTpn. Contesi

lias been studying the New Zealand railway system | ersoiially aial as hi.s extended investigation must now he finished, it wotdd have been preferable to a"ait his report, which in the otdiitary course s}|, ,i, |, ] | rt > presented to parliament in a few weeks’ time. In regard to the experts’ visit, it is doubtful if they inn commence their investigation for six months, and it might take as long to , over all tile ground necessary to go over. Probably a further few months or so wilt he required to compile their report, so that over a year will he consumed in waiting lor the necessary guidance. And when it is offered it is not clear that it will he accepted. By the time the icpor! is available the (invernment as at | resent composed might he out of office, or on the brink of a general election. Probably if the report is intended for popular uinsnmpt vai. its appearance at tin- time of polling might have koii:< value, bill, what i., to happen in the interval with the railways? The d«fo tand -ho: teomings | resitmahly are to eontinue. and the administration generally will be a year to the bail. ]telorni is necessary. That litis been admitted over and over again. The Minister of Railways has various reforms in mind. Such being the ease, the

Minister is quite i ompetent to carry out his task in the meantime, which would save time - and no doubt much money to the country. The qualiliiatious of the expests will not he denied, hut their opinions ate mstly. The exfleneral Manager of Railways s|eeially imported from Britain, was a costly proposition, and it is certain the report to come will he costly also. In the end it might he pigeon-holed, as have been many of Mr Hiley’s proposals, which in themselves would east, a mint of money to carry out. To he practical i.he country wants the best value it call get l’iinn its system. I hat call Ic achieved by a reorganisation, ami no doubt the addition of much needed plant. The railways represent a large capital cost, which was entered upon for developmental work. Tlio best return to that end is desired, and we believe a Minister of Railways familial with the eotinfiy’s needs should he the host judge to give the greatest value for the cost involved. The experts will produce a very valuable report no doubt. But without the ] crsnnul knowledge of the country's liade will not give ns useful a lead to ensuie more I'eveliuo with the least additional expenditure. This contingency, added to the inevitable delay in the preparation of the report, makes if more desirable than ever that the country should derive any benefit from the Minister's contemplated icfortn proposals as soon as possible now.