N.Z. RAILWAY SERVICE.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16834, 28 June 1926, Page 7

N.Z. RAILWAY SERVICE.

STATEMENT BY PREMIER.

OUT FOR BETTER SYSTEM,

'{By Telegraph.—Press Association.! WELLINGTON, Monday.

Speaking at a smoke concert to delegates at the Railway Officers' Institute the Prime Minister referred to the delay in the publication of D 3 (Classification of Officers Department). Its intention was not in any way the fault of the Railway Board, for it had been a week or ten days in lu's hands as Minister of Railways, and while he had every confidence in Mr Jones and his Board he did want, to thoroughly understand the reclassification before he "O.K'd" it, and therefore he hoped they would overlook the slight delay in its production. Next tmic he hoped to have it out early in the year, so that they could look forward to a welcome change in regard to the rcgrading authorised by legislation last year. That would not be found in D 3, but in next year's edition, whatever its merits or demerits were, for the matter was being considered not only by the Board, but also by other officials, and would be nearest to the merit system that could be adopted. He could not lay 100 much stress on the necessity for training young officers, and at least four young men should be sent abroad annually to train by exchange or otherwise on other railway systems, so they could serve the Dominion more efficiently when they returned. Senior men would leave the service when their turn came, so that everything should be done to educate officers to efficiently fitl their places. His desire was not only to prevent the "service becoming insular or circumscribed in its outlook, but to procure a belter railway system, lie also urged the board to fix a regular time lo meet and discuss problems with members uf the different departments.