THE RAILWAYS

Southland Times, Issue 19311, 1 August 1924, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS

REORGANISATION SCHEME COMPETITION OF ROAD TRANSPORT. COMMERCIAL BRANCH SET UP. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON, July 31. The competition of the road against the railway has led the Minister of Railways to set up a special branch for the purpose of encouraging the use of the railways as much as possible. The Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates), announced his decision in the following statement this afternoon:—‘Further important changes are being carried out in connection with the reorganisation of the transport side of the Railway Department. It has become abundantly clear, during the past year, that road competition has developed to such a degree as to call for definite action on the part of the Government with the object of recovering the business lost. It has been decided, therefore, to institute a commercial branch on the transportation side and select officers whose duty it will be to encourage the use of the railways in every possible direction by offering every facility to the Department’s clients to ensure satisfactory service and generally keeping in close touch with sales, shows, sporting events and other large public to secure as much additional traffic as possible. “The District Traffic Manager at Invercargill, Mr D. Rodie, is being transferred to Wellington to take charge of this branch and will have associated with him officers who are considered specially suitable for this particular class of work. The assistant District Traffic Manager at Christchurch, Mr W. O. Ennis, is being promoted to District Traffic Manager at Invercargill to replace Mr Rodie.

“Special attention will be given to the methods adopted in the older countries to secure traffic and it is anticipated that the step taken will result in a more satisfactory service to all concerned.”