BIGGER FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 61, 12 March 1936, Page 10

BIGGER FUTURE

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

MINISTER'S FORECAST

EESTOEATION OF CUTS

A bigger future for the railways and better conditions and pay for the railway men of the Dominion were forecast by the Minister of Railways (the Hon.D. G. Sullivan) when replying, to his toast at the jubilee dinner of the A.S.R.S. last night.

Mr. Sullivan said he fully appreciated the responsibility imposed on him as administrative head of a service employing between 15,000 and 16,000 employees and in which some £60,000,000 of public money had been invested; but by working fifteen or sixteen hours a day, as all Ministers were doing, plus the determination to learn the work, supported by his good officers and staff, he thought he would achieve his aim. The railway service had never received full credit for the wonderful yart it had played in developing the life and resources of the Dominion. "The supreme factor in developing this country," said the Minister, "has undoubtedly been the railways of New Zealand. Too much time has elapsed ' before proper credit nas been given to them. I am pleased, indeed, as Minister of Railways, to pay that tribute to the service that has been given to New Zealand by the railways and the men who have staffed them. I am equally certain that the same service will be rendered in the future. Some years ago we . heard people saying that the railways had come to the end cf their usefulness. In the light of modern development I think you will find that the railways are only beginning. With our new forms of Usefulness we.are destined to play an even greater part in the future of this country than.in. the past." ; BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS. Mr. Sullivan paid a tribute to the achievements of- the A.S.R.S., and said that at the end of the three years for which the present Parliament was elected, the members of the railway service would have no reason to complain. They would not feel dissatisfaction with the actions of the Government- and ,the railway, administration towards improving the conditions of the railwaymen. "I am hopeful.that during the present year we will be able to do one or two important things that will be to the benefit of railway employees and will bring to them a sense of contentment and satisfaction," continued the Minister. , "I am hopeful that we will see the railwaymen give a lead in. regard to establishing the forty-hour week. (Applause.) I have told the Prime Minister of my hopes in that direction, and he gave me a. good deal of encouragement that I may realise my ambition and set an example.

"I am hopeful, too, that the whole of ths cuts will be restored and that by these* two; reforms something; will be done to make' the railwaymen feel that they have not worked in vain to bring about better conditions." Mr. Suilivan referred to the amendments to the Workers Compensation Act proposed by, the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H..T. Armstrong), and said that, he hoped that these three reforms, together with others, would be placed upon the Statute Book, to better the conditions of, the railway workers.

Under his administration, added the Minister, he wanted to give full scope for .'the further' development of all those qualities in the executive officers and staff' that made willing service, thoughtfulness and consideration for others, matters of prime moment in the execution of each day's work.