THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1919, Page 3

THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

ORDER OP REFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. . Wellington, Lost Night. In the House, this afternoon, the Premier, as Minister of Railways, read the order of reference given to Messrs Joseph Maxwell. James Marchbanks, and William Duli'ua Hunt, who have been appointed a commission to inquire mto tile following matters connected with railways;— (1) Condition of rolling stock on July 2, 1918. (2.) Whether such rolling stock has been maintained in good and efficient condition, and whether proper provision had been made for the upkeep and renewal thereof. (3.) Whether the number of engines, carriages, and wagons under repair on July 2, 1916, was excessive. (4.) Whether any inspector or other officer having charge of the rolling stock, and is responsible for its condition, has reported adversely on the condition of the upkeep of the rolling stock. t (5.) Whether the curtailment of the train service made on July 2, 1919, was due to the unsafe condition of the rolling stock. (6.) Whether an excessive number of engines, carriages, and wagons have been passed through the repair shops since July 2, 1919, and whether the curtailment of the train services was brought about solely by the shortage oi coal, and what reserve stock of coal was held by the department on July 2, 1019. (8.) The causes to which the depletion, if any, of the stocks of coal was due. (9.) Whether proper diligence and foresight was exercised by the Kamvhj Department in obtaining coal sunplies to meet requirements. (10.) Whether the Department vas brought under the jurisdiction of the Coal Trade Committee, or other authorities under the coal trade regulations, and rationed in the same way as other industries, and, if so, whether the Department regularly kept such committees or authorities apprised of its requirement. (11.) Whether the Department us-d its organisation in co-operation with such committees or authorities for the purpose of obtaining coal and maintaining stocks for railway purposes. (12.) Whether all coal obtained for and allocated to the Railway Department under the coal trade regulations was delivered to the Department, and whether, and to what extent, the coal allocated for railway purposes was diverted to other industries. (13.) Whether the diversion of coal from the railways to other industries detrimentally affected the position of the railway 'coal reserves. (14.) Whether the Railway Department kept closely in touch with the overseas coal suppliers with a view to supplementing the supplies obtained througli the coal trade committees. (15.) Whether the staff of the Department was of sufficient strength on July 2, 1919, to have enabled the ordinary .time-table in operation on that date to be maintained, had other conditions been satisfactory. (do.) Whether the restrictions imposed on the carriage of passengers and goods were essential. (17.) Whether the curtailment made in the train service was due to causes other than the : shortage of coal. Mr. J, P. Maxwell is appointed chairman of the commission, which is authorised to take evidence at such time aud place as it thinks lit, and is to report by October 20U\ Hon, Myers, who formerly controlled coal supplies, said he thought the commission should be asked to say whether tiie amount of coal available was distributed with due regard to other industries and domestic requirements. Mr. Massey replied that he was afraid the order of reference could not now be altered as it had been approved by the executive, and the commission was asked to report within a month.