D.—4.

8

C. G. Blundell, President, Okaihau Chamber of Commerce, Okaihau. A. W. Brockie, Manager, Messrs. Sanford Ltd., Auckland. J. S. Rossi, Fish-merchant, 336 Queen Street, Auckland. H. J. Halliday, Secretary, Sanitarium Health Food Co., Christchurch. P. Robertson, Mayor, Borough Council, Upper Hutt. F. Ross, Secretary, the New Zealand Coach and Motor-body Builders' Industrial Association of Employers, Wellington. 6. A. Troup, Chairman, New Zealand Municipal Association, Wellington. J. Tait, 10 Harrington Street, Port Chalmers. M. Bethell, County Chairman, Amuri County Council Offices, Culverden. A. Van Osselaer, care of Messrs. Van Osselaer arid Anderson, Ltd., Wellington. A. J. Allen, care of Messrs. Hogg and Co., Ltd., Dunedin (on behalf of Otago sawmillers (Catlins Railway) ). E. A. George, Mayor, Waitara. Jas. Hine, Chairman, Waitara Harbour Board. H. A. Foreman, Chairman, Clifton County Council. H. J. M. Wells, President, Waitara Chamber of Commerce. A. Couper, Gas Engineer, Dunedin Corporation Gasworks, Dunedin. S. C. Crawford, Whangarei. C. Vince, Secretary, Farmers' Union, Katikati. M. E. Perreau, Mayor, Foxton. W. E. Barber, Chairman, Manawatu County Council. F. C. Raikes, Chamber of Commerce, Foxton. W. H. Gimblett, Chairman, Dairy-farmers' Union, Foxton. J. R. Hardie, Town Clerk, Palmerston North. W. A. Davies, Onehunga. J. S. King, Kaukapakapa. Messrs. Wilding and Acland, Barristers and Solicitors, Christchurch. G. Fittock, H. Rutherford, K. I. liobertson, Springburn Railway Retention Committee, Springburn. H. Hay, Chamber of Commerce, Oamaru. A. G. Storrie, 162 Tweed Street, Invercargill. W. J. Hamlin, 2 Dunkerron Avenue, Epsom, Auckland. F. Quattrough, Clayburn Road, Glen Eden. K . McLennan, Box 1059, Wellington. Messrs. F. E. Jackson and Co., Ltd., Anzac Avenue, Auckland. E. Ramsden, 30 McColl Street, Vogeltown, Wellington. W. Anderson, 159 Esplanade, New Brighton. E. Bradshaw, Gore Street, Bluff. W. Power, Chamber of Commerce,. Stratford. J. A. Munro, Clevedon. G. M. Fowlds, Railways and Development League, Auckland. Captain V. A. A. Vernon, Kerikeri. W. Burrows, Nelson. A. G. Foreman, Methven. D. K. Blair, M.l.Mech.E., Wellington. H. L. Cole, 0.8. E., M.l.Mech.E., Wellington. In dealing with the various orders of reference your Commission has given careful consideration to the points raised and has endeavoured to answer all matters contained therein, special consideration being given to the possibilities of increasing the revenue and decreasing the expenditure of the New Zealand Government railways. (1) Whether the general organization of the Department is such as to produce the maximum of economy and efficiency in administration and operation. The control of the Railways Department is vested in the Minister of Railways, who not only directs the general policy of the Department, but takes an active part in the administration. He is the final authority not only on matters of policy, but also in respect of employment, rates of pay, and conditions of employment. The General Manager is responsible to the Minister of Railways, but his powers in regard to administration and the appointment, promotion, and discipline of staff