RAILWAYS IN WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 117, 21 May 1942, Page 3

RAILWAYS IN WAR

DEPLETION OF STAFF NEARLY SIX THOUSAND MEN IN SERVICES Wartime difficulties overcome by the Railway Department were reviewed at Auckland on Monday night by ttie Minister of Railways, the Hon. R. Semple. He said that at the outbreak of war the total staff was 25,765. The iigure at March 31, 1942, was 22,252, and the number of members with the armed forces was 5935. “In addition, 141 members have been loaned to other departments and or-V-'tions in connection with the production of war material, and in the railway workshops many members are employed exclusively in the production of munitions and equipment for war purposes," Mr. Semple said. "About 2400 new appointments have been made to the railway service during the war, thus considerably reducing the calibre of the staff as far as training and railway experience are concerned, several hundred women being employed to replace male personnel. Steps are being taken to train women for duties in assisting guards, handling luggage and cleaning carriages." Mr. Semple said the depleted staff had been called upon to handle a much increased business compared ■with pre-war conditions. For the year ended March 31, 1939, passengers carried totalled 23,266,000. For the year ended March 31, 1942, the number was 28,611,000, an increase of 5,345,000. Goods and livestock carried rose from 7,539,000 tons to 8,474,000 tons. Gross earnings for the 1939 year were £9,345,000 and for the last year til 938,000. Since war began, 4776 special trains have been run, conveying 2,574,000 members of the armed forces. The handling of increased business by a depleted staff had meant long hours for men on the operating side. All members of the service indeed had worked long hours. It had been necessary owing to lack of material and staff shortages to defer the building of net? locomotives and rolling stock, but the department was fortunately placed owing to the policy during the fast six years of providing much additional rolling stock and engine power. Mr, Semple said that at no time had the men of the railways been more loval or worked to better advantage. Relations between the Minister, the management and the employees were thoroughly harmonious, with no hint