COMMERCIAL RAILWAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12185, 9 July 1925, Page 4

COMMERCIAL RAILWAYS

MUST PAY THEIR WAY CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE Speaking at the conference of the Now Zealand Railway Officers’ lasts tute yesterday, the Prime Minister, Hon. J. G. Coates, referring to financial matters, said that this year the department required £650,000 more revenue to meet its liabilities of various sorts, the 48-hour week, superannuation aDd further interest charges, and others. The department was now a commercial concern, and would be operated as such. It would not be asked to do work for other departments of the State without getting full credit, and would not be m a position to serve any particular locality beyond its just dues on a commercial basis. “This means tho department is on its trial,” continued Mr Coates. ‘‘We are all on our trial, and we must co-oper-ate. Wo want you to know as much as we do and uae your judgment. The journal will convey to you the problems the management has to face/ and we shall welcome criticism likely to asBist us in facing these problems. We want every man in.the department to become a railway agent, a walking advertisement for the department. It has been most pleasant to find men of all ranks so keen. Now that they have taken it up with such vim and zeal I have no doubt what the result* will be. Wo have to place ourselves in the position of being indispensable to the people of New Zealand, and I believe we can, and shall, accomplish that purpose. Until we can deliver the goods, the position will be somewhat difficult. Personally, so long aa I can be useful, I am content to go on. I feel convinced in my own mind that with your cooperation we shall take our" proper place in tho community and accomplish our great work of service. (Applause.)