RAILWAY COMMISSION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1000, 17 June 1930, Page 10

RAILWAY COMMISSION

ORDER OF REFERENCE ANNQUNCED ONE MEMBER NOT SITTING Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. The Railway Commission is announced as follows: Mr. Robert Misters (chairman), Mr. J. D Hall L R. W. McVilly and Mr. J. Marchb’a,y,,. The order of reference is to inquire and report as to the possibilities of increasing the revenue and decreasing the expenditure of the Mew Zealand railways and more particularly as follows: 1. Whether the general organisation of the department is such as to produce the maximum of economy and efficiency in administration and operation. 2. 'Whether the scale of passenger fares is such as to produce the best results having regard to other competitive forms of transport and all other relevant considerations. 3. "Whether the issue of concession tickets at present rates and on the present conditions is warranted or should be modified or changed, having regard to the present economic conditions. 4. Whether the goods tariff is such as to produce the best results, having regard to the charges that the various classes of goods can bear economically and competition from other forms of transport. 5. Whether th 9 existing arrangements for the carriage and delivery of parcels and/or goods are the best from the point of view of the net earnings of the railways, the necessity of meeting competition, co-ordination with the post office or any other relevant consideration. (6) Whether the existing arrangements with the post office for the carriage of mails is equitable to the railways. (7) Whether the net returns from the various subsidiary services maintained by tho department such as the Lake Walcatipu steamers, refreshment rooms, advertising, dwellings and other buildings, road-motors, etc. are satisfactory, having regard to the returns obtained therefrom, economy in administration and generally all surrounding circumstances:

(8) Whether the existing staff establishment, including casual employees, is such as to ensure a satisfactory standard of economy and efficiency and whether staff conditions generally are reasonable; (9) Whether the maintenance costs of the permanent way, works and signals are down to the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper standard of safety and efficiency in operation. RESERVE FUND (10) What reserve fund should be set aside from revenue each year to cover depreciation and renewals, including deferred maintenance and, or depreciation and/or renewals, if any, or by way of general reserve; (11) Whether the present arrangements for maintenance of the combined railwajr and road bridges are equitable to the railways; (12) Whether the rolling stock is being economically maintained at a proper standard of safety and efficiency ; (13) Whether the maximum of benefit is being obtained from the new workshops recently erected in the four main centres, and whether the volume of necessary work will be sufficient to keep these shops fully occupied and as to the general position of the workshops. (14) Whether locomotive transportation costs are down to a minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper margin of safety and efficiency in operation. (15) Whether the existing arrangements for the purchase, distribution and control of railway stores keep stocks down to a minimum consistent with efficiency, and generally produces a maximum of economy in the use of stores. (16) Whether traffic. transportation costs are down to the minimum consistent with the maintenance of a proper standard of safety and efficiency in operation, having regard to the amount of service required under the present competitive condition, and to any other relevant consideration. COSTS OF CERTAIN LINES (17) Whether the abandonment of working (either wholly or in part) of any portion or portions of the railway system would be justified, having regard to the financial results of operating any such lines, the extent to which various lines are used, and alternative means of transport for passengers and goods available or feasible. 18. To what extent it is possible and desirable in the interests of the L economic welfare of the Dominion to co-ordinate rail and road transport, having due regard to the rights of owners of road transport services, the necessity of a satisfactory standard of service and all other relevant considerations. 19. Generally to review the administration and the financial position of the Government Railways Department and to recommend what, if any, steps might be taken to secure a proper balance of economy, efficiency and satisfactory service. The report is to be returned not later than September 1. Mr. G. W. Reid, accountant, of dunedin, was asked to accept a seat on the Commission, but for health reasons was unable to do so.