FUTURE OF RAILWAYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 292, 7 November 1928, Page 4

FUTURE OF RAILWAYS

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

AIMING AT EFFICIENCY,

“I come to the management of the railways in no narrow or parochial spirit. I come as a New Zealander who is endeavouring to solve a national problem, and I say deliberately that so far as I am able to co-ordinate the various factors in transport I shall feel it my duty to devote by best energies to that co-ordination without isolation of any factor in the transport services of the community.” In these words Mr H. H. Sterling, General Manager of Railways, at an official dinner which was given by the local bodies of Whangarei to the members of the Auckland commerce train partv on Saturday, made reference to one of the main ideas which is guiding him in his approach to his new and important undertaking. In his seven days’ tour of the province Mr Sterling was one of the keenest observers in the commerce train party (says the Auckland Star). Mr H. T. Merritt, president of the Chamber of Commerce, in proposing the tonst of the Railway Department, made reference to the courtesy, tact and consideration which had been shown to the passengers on the train by every member of tho department from the General Manager downwards. He ventured to state that in no other part of tile world had a scheme of the sort been more successful. “I believe,” said Mr Merritt, ‘‘that the New Zealand railways were never so efficient as they are' to-day, and you will all admit that whatever other modes of transport may be dispensed with the railways are a vital neessity. This tour has opened my eyes. If the railways stop the country stops. Are we going to co-oneratc with this great national asset?”

APPROACHING THE PROBLEM. Dir Sterling said that in the courso of the tour ho had visualised a little of the transport.problem of thus country and he could have had no better exemplification of wlrat he desired for the railway service as a whole than the perfect co-ordination of train, motor vehicles and boats which had been brought about in the running of the commerce train.. It was an example of 100 per cent of service and 100 per cent of satisfaction. The problem to lio solved in New Zealand was liow best to co-ordinate every other mode of transport with the railways. ‘‘l say publicly,” declared Mr Sterling, “that I have no desire to eliminate other forms of transport. My desire is that these services shall be coordinated with the railways.” He said that the tourists had seen in the past few days that the railways were the backbone of the transport service. In considering the question as to whether the railways could bo made to pay, it bad to be remembered that they were a public service before they were a profit-earning institution. MIND OF THE FARMER.

The speaker told bow, without disclosing bis identity, he bad obtained the mind of the farmers on the question of transport. One northern farmer bad told him that he wanted the railways in order to carry fertilisers for liis land; that he wanted roads on which he could travel in his motor car, and that lie would continue to consign his wool by water because it was cheaper. If that was the idea that actuated the farmers as a whole, in their approach to this national problem, then “God help the -officials who were trying to make the railways pay.” Mr Sterling said that in reality the railways were a community capital investment. and lie felt sure that, as the people of the Dominion developed in their sense of responsibility they would recognise that important fact. After viewing the potentialities of the Far North in the light of the knowledge lie had gained while associated with the primary industries, he was more convinced than ever that its great possibilities could only he unlocked by the key to cheap transport. The speaker remarked that lie had a deep 6en.se of the responsibility that rested on himself as well as the other officials of the department. They came to tho public in the spirit of service that liad been demonstrated in the running of the commerce train. All bo asked was that the public would think dispassionately and clearly upon tlio transport problem and realise where the railways stood in relation to economic and industrial life.

“THE RAILWAYS WILL PAY.”

“I say,” remarked Mr Sterling, “that the railways are going to pay, and that if we can solve itlie problem of co-ordinating the various branches of transport, the future of my officers and myself is absolutely assured.” “We desire to give you 100 per cent, of service,” concluded Mr Sterling. ‘“With less than that you will not be satisfied, and I tell you frankly, neither will we.” (Applause.)