RAILWAYS ADMINISTRATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20431, 11 June 1928, Page 10

RAILWAYS ADMINISTRATION.

MR STERLING’S POLICY. ADDRESS TO COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 9. Addressing a gathering of commercial travellers, Mr H. H. Sterling, general manager of railways, said he had endeavoured to compile a comprehensive statement concerning his future policy in the administration of the railways, but all he could think to write about was the necessity of securing the confidence of the public. This was the keynote of the Prime Minister in the present administration of the railways, and it would certainly be the very foundation of his own. Reciprocal relations were essential, and Mr Sterling said he realised he would have to tender the public his confidence if he was to receive any in return. It was only this consideration which induced him to accept the responsibility of the position. “ I feel that, assisted byyou as one section of the community, and by the primary producers as another, much may be done toward the successful administration of the railways,” said Mr Sterling. “Alone I can do nothing. My appeal to the railwaymen is in the same spirit. My idea is not to wrap myself up in cotton wool and lock myself up in a glass-case office in Wellington. I hope to come out and meet my public and my men, and I hope that if any of you feel there is anything wrong about the railways you will come and have it out as man to man. If I can put anything right it will be my pleasure and my privilege to do so. If I cannot, you will be told the reason why. That is as I view the policy of my chief, Mr Coates, and- that is how I feel I shall have to work it out. It is along these lines that I believe we shall be able to accomplish something. We have been passing through a state of unrest as far as transport is concerned. We have heard a lot of tattle, but wq are settling down, and I believe yet we shall realise that the railways are the backbone of the country’s transport. I ask for your entire confidence. Business to-day is carried out at a terrific pace. Time is money, and we cannot spare too much of that. My policy will he to co-ordinate the goods and passenger services.