RAW MANAGEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19856, 3 May 1928, Page 9

RAW MANAGEMENT

BOARD TO EE DISPENSED WITH MB STERLING TO BE CHIEF ' ’ (Pxs TJjutto Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 3. In announcing alterations in the personnel of the Railway Management today, Mr Coates Indicated very important changes in the system ol management which has been in operation since 1922. The system of general manager administration, previously in operation, is to be reverted to on the retirement of the present members of the Railway Board at the end of this month, and the position of general manager is then to be assumed by Mr H. H, Sterling, formerly a member of the board.

It had been apparent to the Government for some time that the commercial aspect of the railways had assumed such importance as to render it exceedingly desirable to secure the services of men with outside commercial training when the time came to make fresh appointments to the management. The recent retirement of Mr Jones, chairman, on account of ill-health, created such a position, and it was felt that every effort should be made to secure the services of a fully qualified railwayman, with first-class commercial training. Mr Mouat, one of the board members, had already asked to be allowed to retire on superannuation, and this had been agreed to. The importance of the Government’s policy was fully realised by the remaining member, Mr Mason, who had expressed his willingness to meet the Government in securing the interests of the service,, and he also had been permited to retire on superannuation. It would be necessary to make temporary arrangements till such time as the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company could see its way clear to release Mr Ster' ig (its general manager); but he would be consulted on all questions of administration in the interim.

Another important change to ho given effect to was doing array rvith the position of liaison officer in the Minister’s office, and the occupant had been transferred to a somewhat similar office, attached to the General Manager.