RAILWAY INQUIRY.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 September 1919, Page 3

RAILWAY INQUIRY.

. ______o________ SCOPE OF COMMISSION.

CAUSES OF THE CUT?

CONDITION OF ROLLING- STOCK

CONSERVATION OF COAL.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 19

In the House of Representatives this afternoon The Prime Minister,_as Minister of Railways, read the order of reference given to Messrs Joseph Prime Maxwell, James Marchbankb, and William D. Hunt, who have been £'x[)})oillt'.'U. a commission to inquire into Lire following matters connected uith the railways:— 91) The condition of the rolling stock on July 2, 1919.

(2) Whether such rolling stock has beuu maintained in a. good and efiiciem: condition, and whether proper proVision. has been made for the upka-ep and 1-encvval thereof.

(3) Whether the number of engines, carriages, and wagons under repair on July 2, 1919, was excessive. (4) Whether any inspector or other oiiii.-er iraviiig charge of rolling stock, amd, being responsible for its condition, has reported adversely on the condition and upkeep of rolling stock. (5) \\'hether the curtailment of the train services made on July 2, 1919, was due to the unsafe condition of the rolling stock. » (6) Whether an e.\'ce.;a:sive number of engines, ca»:-riages, and wagons has been passed through the repair shops: since July 2, 1919. (7) Whether the curtailnient of the train services was ‘brought about sole’iy by the shortage‘of coal, and what reserve stock of coal was held by the Department 011 July 2, 1919. (8) The causes to which the «1ep1(tion if any, of stocks of coal ivag due (9) Whether proper diligence and i"C.resig'ht. was exercised by the Railway Dcpai-tment in obtaining coal supplies to meet reqllil'enlents§ (10) VVhether the Department was brought under the jurisdiction of the Coal Trade Committees or other authorities under the coal trade reg'u]a~ Lions. and rationed in the same way as other industries, and, if so, whether the Department r’egula:']y kept such committees or authol'ities apprised of

its I'oquil'onlentS. (11) W'hethor the Dn.3partnlent used its” Ol‘g"dlliSEl’riol] in co-operation with xllch commitl-en-sV3T"n.uthorities for the purposu of Obtflillifig coal and maintaining stocks For railways pxgrposes.

(.12) \\’hol:her all the coal o:>l:aincd for and uilocatvd to the Railv/zxy Dc-I:-3a1't11lcl1t under the ‘coal trade regulations w:ls'dolivm~od ’m the Dopartmxmtli‘, and \vhet}‘-.<>l' and 1:0 wha\t extent the coal allocated for rzlil=.'.'ays p=n’p:)SoS was divm-ted fo other vnr7.usf.rir,-Q.

(13) ‘.VlleHlm' suk=h division of (30:11 from fhe ra.ihva_V.- to other i11t11m“1‘i0S detrimnntalw affected the position of the railway coal reserves. I (14) W’Ecther the Railway Department kept closely in touch with overseas coal suppliers, with a vh,-w to supplomeilting supplies “bf-3-il?‘-"d through The Coal Trade Commi‘r.t«3es.

(15) Whether the staff of HlO Department was of sufficierlt stmngth on July 2, 1919, to have enabled the ordi-nau-y fimo.-table in operation on that date to be maintained ‘had other conditions hnE'll satisfactory.

(16) VVllethcr’thr- restrictions impo:<— vd on the carriage of passengers and goods were essential. (17) V\7‘lethm' the curtzlilment made in the train services was due to Callseg other than the shortage of coal, Mr J_ P. Maxwell is appointed chair‘ man of the connnissidn, which is gum-om-ismfl 1-o take evidence at such time and place as it thinks fit, and is to I.e_ port by October 12.