RAILWAY BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1931, Page 2

RAILWAY BOARD

EMBARRASSING NUMBER OF APPLICANTS. WELLINGTON, May 8. The Government has not yet made its appointments of railway directors, who are to take office on June 1, but inquiries of several Ministers produced the somewhat unexpected information that dozens of persons are quite willing to make a full time position oi tne £SOO per annum offered for the four directors, from the chairman, who is to be paid £IOOO. Apparently the applicants 4 n excess of tlm required number by at least ten times. Applications for these positions have not been invited, as the intention behind the change of policy was to invite successful business men to bring their knowledge and “goodwill” into the Department co-operating with the trained railwaymen to build up an improved service, and curtail expenses where this can be safely done. It is stated that among the names submitted to the Government are those of men who would make very satisfactory business to tire Department. The Prime Minister’s problem will be to make a selection fl ; dm the embarrassing amount of ihaterial available, though it is quite possible that lit some cilSds, invitatioiis to cept positions on the board will bo extended to men who have not nmae application either by direct or indirect means. STAFF REDUCTIONS AND ECONOMIES. Meanwhile the programme or economies initiated almost a year ago by the present Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. A. Veitch) goes on, and a large number of time-table changes for the winter months are now under consideration. Savings, oT expondture under this head are being planned, and one report is that the New Plymouth and Napier expresses which leave Wellington within a short time of each other each morning, are to he combined as far as Palmerston North. "When this report was referred to the Minister of Railways, he stated that there had been no decision of that character. 'When the railway directors take office, they will liaye’ to consider whether there is too large a staff tor the services rendered hv the Department., The belief is held generally outside the-service that the surplus manpower i s excessive, hut as reductions have been going on for many months, it is probable that the surplus is now almost non-existent. Retirements have already reached the impressive total of approximately 1800. *'■