RAILWAY MANAGEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1924, Page 4

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT

THE XKW KY.STEAL AVELI.I N'GTOX, .December 1.*.. In (ouueetioii with tile resignation of Mr Al’Yilly there is a big stir in railway administrative c ircles. and ollicers are wondering bow far tie* .Minister of Railways will go in bis active efforts to make the Department up-tu-dilte. Il is contended by experieueed railwayui**n that a caul ions policy is best in tin* long run with a department involving more technical matters than any other liraueli of tin* Government serivre. What . makes matters more difficult for tin* smooth introduction of innovations is that tin* head of nearly every brunch lias not long belli office, tile Chief .Mechanical Engineer being at present acting temporarily in that position. it AT LAVA A r COAIAI ISSUIN' K RETORT.

Tl is not thought that tin* step taken by Afr AEVilly lias any relation to tin* contents of the Railway Commissinn’s report. This document- is circulating among .Ministers and will he considered by Cabinet before* being ]>ublisli<.*d. The Government’s decision on tho\CommisI sinners’ recommendations will be made known simultaneously with tin* publication of tin* report. Tt is suggested tb.it thi* Commissioners * favour a complete change in the method of railway management. so as to eliminate every vestige of political emit ml. One report is to the effect that, while the Government will refuse to allow Parliament to lose control of the railways. it favours the establishment of a hoard of management consisting of three members. Il is stated that the eliairmati of tin* hoard will he located in Wellington, hut that caeli of the other two members will he stationed in the Xortli Island and South Island respectively, the idea being that the railway systems in each island should he run as separate concerns from the point of view of earning power, in order to avoid North Island profits having to he balanced against South Island losses.

This will not ho adoption of the commissioner control system in its entirety. ns it is considered likely that the policy of keeping responsibility for the administration of the railways in the hands of a Minister of the Crown will lie adhered to. There is an expectation in railway circles that Mr F. J. .Tones, Chief Engineer of the Railway Department, will he appointed chairman of the Board of Management when it is set up.

Mr Al’Villv is the best known man in the* railway service, and as lie dealt with all staff matters during Mr Hi lev’s term of office, he was more or less regarded as chief during that time by the men of the service. He has been ill the service for the whole of his working life, and has worked prodigiously hard for bis employers, flu* Government of New Zealand. He had no easy path to bis present liigli position, for lie had to work through all grades until lie became Chief Clerk, under Air T.

Ronnync, who was Manager before Air Hilev was appointed. AYlien Air Riley arrived, be found that- Air Al’Villy was. ill effect. Assistant General Alanager. and told the Government this, recommending at the same time that lie should be given the rank and the pay. The Government accepted the advice, and for a number of years Air Al’Villy bad the title of Assistant General Alanager. Subsequently, on Afr Hilcy’s

retirement, Mr M’Villy was appointed General Manager. He is entitled to retire on a superannuation allowance, which will approximate £'2ooo per annum.