§ 36. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Samuel Commission elicited the information that there are 57 different types of coal wagons in use in this country, varying in capacity from eight to 20 tons; that if all the wagons were 20 tons capacity a reduction in freightage charge, equal to 10 per cent., would be possible; and that 69 per cent. of the wagons are privately owned by 10,000 separate owners, and it was estimated that if these wagons were all owned by one company 9,000,000 engine hours per annum would be saved; and, in view of their recommendation that a committee on mineral transport should he set up, will he state what his intentions are on this question?
§ Colonel LANE FOXA Joint Standing Committee on Mineral Transport, such as the Samuel Commission recommended, was appointed on the 17th February and has already held its first meeting.