RAILWAY REUNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 199, 26 August 1935, Page 8

RAILWAY REUNION

OFFICERS' INSTITUTE GATHERING AT WANGANUI GENERAL MANAGER PRESENT REFERENCE TO SALARY RESTORATIONS. “It is an honour to the Wanganui branch, and to our organisation, that the Geiier: I Manager, Air. G. H. Mack ley, should attend our function to night,’’ said Air. E. Kendrick, who presided at the annual reunion of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute (Wanganui branch) on Saturday night Mr. Kendrick referred to Air. Mackley’s long association with the department, and remarked that al one time the presGilmorp proposed the toast of the New delegate of the institute The chairman also extended a welcome to Mr. E. W. Barnes (Wellington), president, New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute, Mr. W. P. Aliller (Wanganui), District Traffic Manager, Mr. I. J. Howell (Wanganui), District "c.“. Mr. W. L. McEvoy (Wanganui), works manager. Eastown Shops, Mr. P. G. King (Wanganui), locomotive foreman, Mr. A. W. Welstoad (Wellington), commercial manager, and Mr. C. Blackburn (Wellington), secretary to the General Manager. The gathering was a large and representative one and the ev -ning passed in music, song and story. A pleasing rail way atmosphere prevailed and anecdotes of incidents connected with the stel roads wore narrated from time to time. The popularity of the General .Manager was evinced on several occasions, particularly during the course of Mr. Mackl/v’s reply to the toast of the Railway Department. The G.M.’s speech was met with frequent applause and his remarks well received by the large audience. Following the Royal Toast, Air. A. Gilmore proopsed the toast of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute. The responders were Messrs. J. Rosoman, branch delegate, and Air. E. Barnes, president. Mr. Barnes thanked those speakers who had congratulated him on being elected president of the institute. He recognised very fully what the position demanded. He has accepted the presidency with a fair amount of trepidation, knowing as he did that a high standard bad been set in the past. ”1 must say that our organisation enjoys the confidence of the management,’’ said Mr, Barnes. “Unless an organisation doos that it cannot accomplish all its sets out to do. No matter what the representations made might be, they must be fair and reasonable. If we always remember this I’m sure we will receive a fair hearing.” The Salary Cuts. Referring to the salary “cuts.” Air. Barnes said that the Railway Officers’ Institute, in common with the public services, stood four-square for a full restoration. Trior to Air. Coates I aving for England he had been waited on by a deputation and his attitude had been sympathetic. The Alinister had piQmiscd to look into the matter on his return. In view of this, said Mr. Barnes, the institute considered that the next move was the Al mister’s. Because of this position, the institute felt that it would be a breach of faith to tour the country and agitate for a restoration of th? “cuts.” “It is only a fair thing to give Air. Coates an opportunity of telling you what he is going to do before you take any action,’’ the speaker declared. “In two. or perhaps three weeks from now, I think you will know what the Government proposals arc.’’ ’The toast, “The Railway Depart niont,” was proposed by Mr. \V. .1. F’eeney and replied to by Air. G. H. Markley, and Messrs. W. P. Miller, I. J. Howell, and AV. L. McEvoy. “I consider it an honour to be privileged with the duty of proposing such an important toast to the management of our New Zealand Railways,” said Air. Feeney. “The management has every reason to feel proud of its achievement. The rapid progress and development so apparent in our railway system to-day 13 adequate testimony to the high standard of efficiency which obtains. E'ull credit must be given to the management for the increase in publ’n < o.'iiidence which the New Zealand Railways enjoy to-day, This, confidence is inspired by the improved facilities and the comforts now enjoyed by people who iravel by rail. As evidence of this it has been stated by Mr. Mackley that the annual mileage run by goods trains amounts to 5,972,692, and by passenger trains 4,653,708, or a total of 10,626,400 miles for both goods and passenger services. That this is accomplished without serious accident or dislocation of services is proof of the efforts being made to merit public confidence.’’ “The management is entitled to every credit for its foresight ami ap plication of up-to date business methods,’’ said Mr. Feeney, “but I ask you, gentlemen, how far would such a policy be practicable without the loyalty ami efficiency of the staff? Today, the uppermost thought in the minds of the. service, which during a period of acute financial distress has shouldered more than a reasonable share of sacrifice, is how far may they hope to share in the definite signs of returning piosperity which are evident throughout the Dom'rio:i to-day?” General Manager Cheered. Cheers greeted Mr. Mackley when ho rose to respond to the toast. “I would like to thank you all with the keenest sincerity for the kind invitation and for the hearty rml sincere manner in which you honoured the toast of the management,” said the General Man ager. I was .assured before 1 left Wei lington, not that such an assurance was necessary, that if I found it convenient to be present in Wanganui to-night, 1 would find a hearty welcome awaiting me. That welcome, gentlemen, has been far more than I anticipated. It has been said that you consider it an honour that I should comlesceml to attend. I would like fD say. however, that f;ir from it being a matter of condescend ing, I feel it my buunden duty to be here and participate in this n.ost en joyable and entertaining evening.’’ (Applause). Air. Mackley apologised lor the unavoidable absence of the Assistant-Gen oral Afnnager (A?r. Casey •. and some of the other senior officers. He stated that it was the first occasion on which hr had had the pleasure c‘ attending an evening organised by the Wanganui