RAILWAY PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 143, 14 March 1938, Page 5

RAILWAY PROGRESS

Management And Staff Point Of Vieiv BUSY, INTERESTING TIMES “In the period up to February 5 revenue increased by £866,857 and expenditure increased by more than £1,000,000, but when I tell you the present year is going to produce about record revenue, and we already have up to February 5 as much revenue as' in the whole of last year, it will give you some idea of how the wheels are turning round,” said the General Manager of the Railways, Mr. G. H. Mackley, at the annual smoke concert of tbe Railway Officers’ Institute on Saturday night. “Notwithstanding that we have the 40-hour week with us, our net revenue for this year will be something like only £250,000 behind that of 192930, our record year, so you have not done badly.’’ Mr. Mackley was responding to the toast of “The Management,” moved by Mr. V. J. Stanley, general secretary of the institute, who said that the present management was beset by greater difficulties than any previous managements, but would have the loyal support of railway officers. 1 Changes on Rail and Road. In the history of the New Zealand railways there had never been a time when the affairs of the railways were carried on at such pressure as to-day, said Mr. Mackley. The times were interesting. In the course of the next six weeks or so the new type of railcar, which would reach the standard desired by the most fastidious passenger, would appear. The new multipleunit trains, which were the same as those running on the London underground railways, were to be placed on the Johnsonville line, and there had just been landed a new electric locomotive as up to date as any made in England in the last two or three years. AVith the electrification of the Paekakariki line and the new rail-cars, his hearers were going to have an interesting time. On top of that the Government had authorised the taking over of some 13 . goods services that were the major goods services of the North Island. He was backing the railwaymen to take over and run them more efficiently than they had been run by private operators. AVhen the Minister of Railways had asked him whether that could be, done, he had replied that hm had no doubt. The railways were now controlling practically all the major passenger services throughout the country and doing it in a more satisfactory manner than private operators could" have done itHe was not saying that to criticise the private operator, but to make the point that the railways could do a real job of work when they were given the opportunity. ■ An “unusual. number of retirements also would cause the year to be a busy one. Mr. Mackley mentioned that since 1935 the department had taken on 550 cadets. Regrading Report. Mr. Mackley announced that the report of the committee that had considered tbe regrading of the first division had been in his hands several days and he hoped to hand it over to the representatives of the institute this week. If the institute handled it as expeditiously as the management had he would be very pleased. He thought members of the committee and the representatives of the institute would not say there had been any suggestion of “stinginess” on the part o£ the management. He felt that effect would be given to whatever proposals were put to the minister. The regrading had taken a little longer than had been wished, but he desired to compliments the committee on the manner in which it had done its work. He believed officers were all the , better off for having waited, gaining 1 the benefit of what had been done in other branches of the Public Service in the name of regrading. If the management had erred it was on the side ot generosity. Referring to a hope expressed by Mr. E. AV. Barnes, president of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute, that something more would be done for grade seven members of the service, Air. Mackley said he did not think Mr. Barnes would be far wrong in the final analysis. Mr. Mackley made an appeal for the maintenance of goodwill between tbe management and the officers of the service. New Social Hall. The smoke concert was held in the new railway social hall, AA aterloo Quay, and the General Manager said he hoped it would fulfil the purpose for v which it had been planned, which was to give all that was desired w’ithout extravagance. The building had cost approximately £9OOO, the garage below taking about £3OOO and the upper floor where the hall was about £6OOO, so the Minister had been gerenous. The health of the executive of the institute was proposed by Mr. E. Casey, assistant general manager, who said that the executive had traditions unsurpassediby those of any other similar body. It and tbe management had many fights, but always kept their mutual esteem. Responding, Mr. Barnes remarked that the activities of the department were greater than ever and the management was under more stress than in years gone by. The Governments decision about grade had been the outstanding event of the year. AVhat had been done represented a Substantial advance, but he hoped something would be done for those members that would take them further along the road they wished to travel. Tbe reception by the Prime Minister of a deputation from the institute was a new departure and augured well. A better method of regrading officers was necessary. He was not reflecting on the members of the regrading committee, but the system was e;ui|sy and delays too long.

The health of superannuated members was proposed by Mr. 11. Valentine, second assistant general manager, and responded to by their representatives.

During the evening the institute’s service medallion was presented by Mr. Barnes to Mr.- T. Hogan, treasurer of the Wellington branch since 1928.

The chairman of rhe branch committee, Mr. C. E. F. Cunningham, presided. An apology for absence was received from the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who was engaged in public duties.