The table indicates that for long listance transport of passengers and mails, where speed is important, and where the expense of transport is not a main consideration, this method of transport is gaining in popularity. [t is also being used to afford facilities for journeys between the cities and re- mote places in the States where other means of rapid transport do not exist. 40. It is difficult to over estimate the benefit to be derived from the develop- ment of this service; it already serves definite needs; and it probably will be a considerable factor, possibly indirect more than direct, in the development of Australia. It is now subsidized by the Government to the extent of approximately £70,000, but as and when its commercial utility is proved, it should gradually emerge from the ohrysalis stage in which State grants support it, into the full flight of a self-supporting undertaking. General. R 41. One of the main questions affect- ‘ng Australian transport systems is the necessity for a proper co-ordination of them all. The report of the Traffic Advisory Committee of the State of New South Wales recommended in April last that a Ministry of Transport should be appointed, and that the following activities should be brought within its purview : — (1) General State Transport \gencies— (a) State Transport Committee or Commission. (b) Railway Commissioners, ex- zluding Tramways. (¢) Main Roads Board. (d) Navigation Department. (e) State motor registration and licensing of drivers— (i) Administration. (ii) Allocation of funds. (2) Metropolitan Transport Agen- cies— (a) Metropolitan Transport Board— (1) Government Tramways. (ii) Government buses. (b) Privately controlled trans- port service, e.g.— (i) Privately owned buses. (ii) Commercial vehicles. (iii) Taxi-cabs. (¢) Sydney Harbour Trust. It is further suggested that the new Ministry should take over traffic ad- ninistration including— (i) Traffic Advisory Com- mittee (feed). (ii) Technical Committees (intermittent). (iii) Transport and Traffic Research, Statistics and Publie Safety Bureau. (iv) Traffic Acts and Regula- tions. (v) Annual Transport and Traffic Congress (honorary). A Royal Coramission, which was ippointed last April to inquire into he control and working of the Vie- -orian Railways, reported on the 2nd vovembher, 1928— “In order to effectively bring about co-ordination between rail, tram and road motor services, which would be in the interest of the competing transport agencies, and of the public, your Com- missioners recommend that a Min- istry of Transport be constituted and that the Ministry have juris- diction over the following ser- vices: — The Victorian Railways, The Melbourne and Metro- politan Railways, The Melbourne Harbour Trust, Road Motor Transport. “Tt is further recommended hat a Transport Board be created, and that such board comprise a full-time independent chairman and one representative of each of the following bodies: — The Vietorian Railways Commissioners, The Melbourne and Metro- politan Tramways Board, The Country Roads Board, The Melbourne Harbour Trust, and The Commercial and Private Motor Owners.’