A Uniform Gauge.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 98, 18 April 1914, Page 5

A Uniform Gauge.

AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS.

COMMISSION APPOINTED. A uniform railway gauge for the Commonwealth was * matter that engaged the Inter-State Premiers' Conference while sitting in Melbourne, and it evoked a lively debate. The Prime Minister of Victoria (the Hon. W. A. Watt), in introducing the subject, said it was time the gauge difficulty was ended. As far as he could see, the difficulties were not insuperable. The break of gauge in different parts of the continent acted as toll-bars against inter-State trade. The transfer Charges at each place where the gauge was broken were I, heavy burden on trade. The defence question must also be considered when the gauge was being looked into. With breaks in the gauge of the Australian railways as they stood to-day it would be impossible to adequately defend Australia. The problem had to be faced sooner or later, and the sooner the better. The cost of doing the work would double itself every 15 years. Experts had estimated that to convert all the lines to oft Sin gauge would cost £51,000,000, and to the 4 feet inches gauge the cost would be'£37,000,000. The Federal Parliament regarded the question as settled, and decided some time ago to construct its transcontinental line on the 4 feet 8J inches gauge. Experts had agreed that that was the better, and the Commonwealth had adopted it.

Mr Cook (Commonwealth) pointed out that State experts had considered the matter, and they had reported in favor of the 4 feet 8| inches gauge. Continuing, he said that the really big question to be considered now was how to effect the change and how to apportion the cost. He suggested that some outside body should be asked to arbitrate on the question; such a body as the Inter-State Commission could do the work very well, Eventually it was resolved: "That the States agree to refer to the InterState Commission the question of a uniform gauge for Australia for report:—(l) Whether it is desirable to adopt a uniform gauge, and if so when; (2) what gauge should be adopted, and, further, that the Commonwealth and the States agree to refer to the said Commission the following questions:—(l) What the benefits will result ? (a) To the Commonwealth, (b) to each of the States. (2) What will be the cost of conversion? (3) What manner and to whom shall such cost be allocated,"