RAILWAY COMPANIES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 281, 22 August 1940, Page 3

RAILWAY COMPANIES

Minister Addresses Men At Ngaruawahia

FINE RESPONSE PRAISED

Recently the Minister of Hallways, Mr Sullivan, accompanied by the General Manager of Hallways, Mr. E. Casey, paid a visit to the 16th and 17th Railway Operating Companies in the camp near Ngaruawahia. The party was received by Major Oliphant, Camp Commandant, and Captain Seddon. Subsequently a ceremonial parade of the two companies was held under the command of Lieuten-ant-Colonel A. H. Sage. The members of the companies were briefly addressed by Mr. Sullivan, who said he was deeply impressed by the bearing of the men on parade.' Il; was a great source of pleasure to him that the call for enlistments had been so promptly answered by railwaymen, and that the number of men required for the railway operating companies quickly came forward. In one week the number of offers of service received were more than 'double the number required. This was all the more encouraging in view of the short notice given and the consequent short time for the men to adjust their private affairs. “We all realize the issues for which we are fighting,” Mr. Sullivan said. “We are fighting to maintain the right of free people to retain their own national existence, and, above all, the right, to govern ourselves. We in our democratic state have our trade unions, political parties, mid all the advantages that democracy can offer, and if Great Britain were to lose the titanic struggle in which she is now engaged, then we would obviously be deprived of those advantages. Country Grateful. “The Government and the people of this country are grateful to each and everyone of you for making great sacrifices in order to serve your country, and for tiie wonderful way in which you responded to the appeal made for volunteers, and today I am sincerely proud of you because of your martial bearing, which lias been very favourably commented upon by your commanding officers. I know you will corkUntie to justify the high opinions held of you during tiie whole course of your military career.” Mr. Casey expressed his pride at. the wonderful response which the railwaymen had given to the call for their service to assist the nation in its hour of peril. He also mentioned that there are more than 2600 railwaymen serving in New Zealand’s armed forces, ap'd assured those present that in no case would tiie member’s departmental prospects suffer by reason of his absence cm military duties.