RAILWAYS WORKING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 266, 6 August 1929, Page 8

RAILWAYS WORKING

“REASON FOR SATISFACTION” manager reviews POSITION Dominion Special Service. Auckland, August 5. “The knowledge that the working expenses of the Department are being reduced is very gratifying to us, and it must be to all,” said Mr. H. H. Sterling General Manager of Railways, at the ’ Railway Officers’ Institute reunion. ‘‘A review of the position as far as last year’s working is concerned gives every reason for satisfaction, Mr, Sterling continued. “Considered on the same basis as the previous year, there was an improvement in the position last year to the extent of some £BO,OOO. From the figures in the Gazette the position does not look quite so happy, but there are some factors to be taken into consideration over which we have no control. Two lines on which work has been discontinued have proved a substantial loss, but eliminating these we are about £BO,OOO to the good. Taking into consideration the £43,000 more than the previous year which has been put aside for depreciation and repairs, we are really £120,000 better off.” In taking these results as a test of their work as members of the Department, Mr. Sterling made one reservation. It might be a reflection of Government and perhaps of their work indirectly, but it was not the final test of the success they had achieved, as there were so many elements beyond their control. The final test lay in the measure of public satisfaction. When a certain policy was defined it was their duty to carry it out, and their duty to the public to do so at the lowest possible cost. "I have the temerity to believe that In the past year we have made some advance,” he said. “It is after coming into contact with those most competent to express an opinion that I dare to make a statement of advance.” After emphasising the importance of economy, Mr. Sterling spoke of organisation upon the harmonious functioning of which depended efficiency. When they heard of reorganisation they were not' to think that it means only Ministerial change; it ended with the last man under him. It affected even the country stationmaster, with perhaps one man under him. For it was for him to lay the foundation of economy and efficiency upon which the management could build. The words on the toast list concerning the institute made one of the finest texts he knew of: “The institute still maintains that dignity of outlook and responsibility which has characterised it from its inception; it recognises that the success of its membership is coincident with the progress of the railway service of New Zealand.” “I feel that if members of the institute live up to that text, I, as General Manager, have a comparatively easy task before me,” Mr. Sterling said. “Service,, then, would give a measure of transport service satisfactory to the people owning the railways and to the management. I am glad to know that I have your confidence, and as far as I am able to come in contact with members of the staff they have all Of mine.”