MINISTER OF RAILWAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 71, 23 February 1937, Page 14

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS.

ADDRESS TO EMPLOYEES. Per Press Association. CHRISTCIIURCH, Feb. 22. An assurance that there was no barrier between him as Minister and the men working under him in the railway service was given by the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan), when speaking to a mass meeting of workmen at the Addington railway workshops to-day. Mr Sullivan paid a surprise visit to the shops to learn at first-hand the conditions under which the men are working, and to reassure them that it was his desire as Minister to establish personal contact with every workman in the service from the top rung of the ladder to the bo Mr”sullivan said he had discovered from information which had come to him that the men were under the impression that there was some insuperable barrier between them and their Minister. The purpose of his visit was to dispel that belief, and he assured them that he was definitely endeavoiiring to seek some means by which he could keep in touch with the rank and file of the department. In reply to a question, he assured the men that he was quite prepared to meet their accredited representatives and discuss any paricular grievances they might care to place before him. “It is my desire as Minister that the administrative officers in the department charged with authority 111 any way should realise the great responsibility devolving on them not only to the men, but the department, the Government, and the country as a whole,” the Minister said. “All I require from the controlling officers is that they shall apply the simple principles of truth and justice to any situation that might arise, and that in reporting on any matter, particularly those dealing with personnel, . they should exercise care to see that justice is done in all eases. Tf this policy is followed only good can result.”