page 18

District Advisory Boards
New Plan to Make Co-operation between Public and Railways Effective

A circular letter sent out by the Right Hon. the Minister of Railways to public bodies, business houses, traders and others interested in transportation, suggesting the establishment of District Advisory Boards, has met with an excellent reception. Already public bodies are moving in the matter of setting up committees to study and report on the question, and there is a general feeling that much good can be accomplished for the whole community by the interchange of information and advice which the establishment of such boards will make possible.

The following is the text of the letter, which is accompanied by an outline of the proposed constitution and rules:—

Dear Sir,—

As outlined in the Annual Railway Statement, the Government has decided to encourage the establishment of District Advisory Boards on Railway matters, in order to form a common meeting-ground between the users of the Railway and the Railway Department for the better understanding of Railway problems, and to engender a spirit of co-operation and mutual assistance.

The undermentioned are suggested as some of the conditions of establishment:—

The Advisory Boards to deal with transportation problems, and all matters of mutual concern to the user and to the Railway Department.

Business Agents and other selected Railway officers to be in attendance at meetings to impart information or collect material for reports to management, the conclusions reached by the Boards to be placed before the Department through the Divisional Superintendent and Commercial Manager of Railways.

The associations to be voluntary. The organisation to be dependent upon public opinion supporting its activities.

Complaints and suggestions to receive immediate attention, and to be adjusted to the satisfaction of the public, or substantial reasons given as to why such course is not possible.

The Department to give freely information of public interest on Railway matters, to acknowledge frankly any disabilities, and to advise what is being done to adjust them.

It is suggested that two District Advisory Boards be established in each Island, to embrace the territories indicated:—

Auckland: All territory from Ohakune northwards, including Gisborne.

Wellington: All territory from Ohakune southwards, and including Nelson and Picton districts.

Christchurch: All territory from Glenavy and north thereof, including West Coast.

Dunedin: All territory from south of Glenavy.

The Boards should consist of representatives of the various interests and public bodies, and representatives from Committees set up at other towns within the jurisdiction of the Board.

Probably a satisfactory arrangement would be for the secretarial duties of the Advisory Board to be in the hands of the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin respectively.

It was also suggested that Committees be appointed at other important centres to work in conjunction with the District Advisory Boards on matters of common interest. On questions of purely local interest these Committees should function in a similar manner to the Boards. They should be set up in a similar manner to the District Advisory Boards, and appoint representatives thereto. The Boards would decide as to the localities where such Committees are to be established.

Advice of the date and place of all Board and Committee meetings, with a copy of the agenda paper, should be sent to the Divisional Superintendent of Railways, Auckland or Christchurch, and the Commercial Manager, Railways, Wellington, in order that arrangements may be made for the Department to be represented. The Railway Department's representative would, whenever possible, deal finally with matters introduced at the meetings; but if this cannot be done he would arrange for the representations to be conveyed to the proper quarter.

It is expected that Boards will communicate with each other upon matters of common interest.

It is suggested that a meeting of interested persons be called in each locality by the Chamber of Commerce or like body, with a view to the establishment of the scheme. I page 19 should like representatives to attend from the Chambers of Commerce, Farmers' Unions, Dairy Associations, Industrial Associations, Progress Leagues, timber-millers, coal-mine owners, and all other bodies interested in Railway affairs.

It is considered that more detailed matters such as mentioned below might be brought before the Boards when the latter have commenced to function:—

Estimating and forecasting the probable demand for wagons for seasonal or fluctuating traffic.

Regulating despatch of consignments to stores and ships in order to avoid congestion and the holding up of wagons that should be available for traders.

Speeding up loading and unloading and obtaining maximum loading of wagons.

Clearance of inward goods from Railway sheds.

Arranging preference to specially urgent traffic.

Despatch of goods to Railway sheds during the day to avoid congestion at close of day.

Organising and regulating despatch of live-stock, farm-produce, and farmers' requisites.

Co-ordinating the Department's efforts with the requirements of the user, and so eliminating misunderstandings.

Generally, to assist transportation by cooperative organisation tending towards the general welfare of both the Department and its clients.

Let me emphasise, in conclusion, that we aim at not only a passive acquiescence on the part of the public in our doings, but their active co-operation and assistance to make our services better and better; and I am satisfied that it is only by taking our customers fully into our confidence and placing all the cards upon the table that we can hope to arouse in them the fullest measure of active co-operation. It cannot be gainsaid that the Railways are the greatest economic factor in the welfare of the Dominion, and that the prosperity of the Railways and of the community is interdependent. I am hopeful that the scheme set out herein will be taken up with enthusiasm, and that the organisation will produce a spirit of toleration and confidence tending towards harmonious working and the common welfare.

Yours faithfully,

J. G. Coates,

Minister of Railways.