MANAGEMENT OF RAILWAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1924, Page 4

MANAGEMENT OF RAILWAYS.

ST AT EM KXT PY MINISTER. WEUJXCTOX. December 17. The Hon. .1. (J. Coates, Minister of Railways, made a further (statement to-night with regard to reorganisation of the Railway Department. The formation of a board of man-

agement has already been announced, said Mr Coates, but that will not liesuit in any departure from the principle contained in the (lovcrnmeiit Railways Act. which places control of the railways, and the department entirely in the hands of the Minister. Meantime the hoard’s powers will be similar to those lmhl by the general

manager and his assistants, hut the results aimed at are decentralisation and delegation of responsibilities and duties, lirielly the management of the department is now vested in a board of three members, instead of lieing entirely in the bands of one general manager. The whole of tile conesi dealing with details of the department's activities in various districts will be dealt with by other controlling officers. Air James Mason, who has hoi ft the position of first assistant general manager since Janu-

ary last, has now been .selected to fill one of the two remaining positions on the hoard. Xo definite decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the third position, hut arrangements have been made to carry on temjmrarily by the appointment of an acting member. ‘‘lt has also been decided as part of the general decentralisation scheme to appoint two general superintendents, on in tile North Island, and on in the South Island, responsible directly to the hoard for the operation of commercial matters and maintenance within each island. Officers to fill these

positions will lie selected in the course of a few days. -My object in giving effect to these changes now is to enable complete reorganisation to lie working smoothly and be brought into operation as from the commencement of the financial year. 'April 1 next. “'So far as the report of the Commission is concerned, although I have had definite proposals in regard to

many recommendations for some time I do not propose to make a full statement of policy with regard to any matters dealt with until such time as the complete rpport is released for publication.”