RAILWAY CHANGES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1924, Page 1

RAILWAY CHANGES.

DEMAND FOR INFORMATION. ASSISTANT-MANAGER'S POSITION. WELLINGTON, Dee. 1(5. The announcement by the Alinister of Rail wavs that the department will be controlled by a hoard of three lias led to surmise regarding the position of the first and second-assistant general managers, who took office only last January. Air James Mason, first assistant, was placed in charge of the transportation anil commercial branches. In that capacity he has been responsible for the active policy of meeting motor competition and canvassing for transport business. Remodelling of train schedules, including the introduction of the Aueklaml-Wellingtou limited express, has been another leature of Air Alnson’s administration. Ills colleague, Air If. Sterling. • the second assistant, has since appointment had most to do with the difficult difficult situation leading up to the railway strike, and negotiations for settlement. His special sphere is stalf control.

The Alinister. by leaving two wsitions nil the hoard temporarily unfilled, creates an impression that he may leave these officers, who in matter of salary rank equal with the chairman of the board, in charge of tlicir respective branches, hut with changed titles. It is recalled that when making the appointments of assistant managers the Alinister stated that the responsibilities appertaining to those positions wore fully defined, and consequently the general manager was relieved of a large amount of work connected tilth thilse branches, which occupied a considerable portion of his time previously. The results of this reorganisation li-ore boim/ watched and changes would he made if found by practical working to ho advantageous. Similar steps, he sail!, hail been taken with regard to the position of Chief Engineer, whose duties anil scope of authority had also boon defined. The “New Zealand Times’ points out that the latest development in railway control has no statutory authority, the statute referring throughout to the general manager as the responsible head of the department. More information is demanded by the Wellington “Post” which says: “It appears either that the announcements have been delayed or that changes have been rushed, anil the Alinister would be well advised to make a comprehensive statement which will remove any public suspicion of precipitate action. His brief statement quotes a recommendation from the report of the Railways Comniissnoii, hut tlie complete report is not yet available for publication. Until it is. and until the Alinister explains more fully than he has done hitherto the powers and duties of the new hoard of management it i.s impossible for the public to judge Kie effects of the changes. AYo are told, for example. that the Commission Approves the appointment of the hoard, hut not whether that approval is subject to the abolition of political control, nor has any statement been made as to the division of the three hoard members, or whether, as is reported, it is proposed to separate the North and South railway systems. Air M’Vill.v has been Huso long the principal officer that his resignation must leave a gap. He has been in his time subjected to too much criticism, often unjustly, because lie has declined to denari from the traditional Civil Service rule and seek publicity even to defend himself. Only in his annual reports to Parliament has lie revealed the ilifiieull ies under which lie has worked. Study of these reports show that the management has hail to contend with trying political problems to endeavour to satisfy politicians who called loudly for business management, and yet refused to discaril the rules of the service. which w«-!-•• fiiuneil noon nolilha!. lather than business considerations. H will he found in later years, we are sure, that Mr M’Villy lias done splendid work in building up the railway serviee under moM difficult conditions.” DIFFICULTIES OF SPECI AL RATES The Railway Depart incut's policy ot making special freight rates to meet motor competition has had remarkable nnforseon results in the Alaiiawatn anil Taranaki districts. The correspondent of Hie “Lyttelton Times” in informed that as 'motor competition is very sovoro between Palmerston North ana Wellington for dairy produce trapsTort, a particularly low rate to Uollington is quoted to dairy factories usin" the railway. Those situated beyond the competitive area do not share in the benefit, hut some groups of dairy producers, resenting this partial treatment. have utilised motors for transit to a rail point which brings them within v ange of the special low rates. Thus tin* Department’s efforts to drive motors off the mails have in some eases bud the result of encouraging their use over n wilier area. Examples of this kind ale reported from several parts ol lhe Manawafu and Taranaki districts.