Looking round the railway situation at the present time, one finds many sound reasons for confidence as to the future. Hard times have demanded a pruning down to bare essentials, but a survey reveals that the railway tree of transport has not been tapped in any vital spot, and there is much evidence of vigorous life. What the railways have been doing is to make themselves better able to cope with whatever conditions the future may have in store.

They are better equipped in motive power, rolling stock and general facilities for the handling of all kinds of traffic than ever before.

Members of the staff generally are fully alive to the advantage of helping personally in any way possible to make more business for the Department. If any railwayman hears of anybody or anything that needs transporting, he is anxious to have the railways employed for the purpose, and does what he can to help. He takes an interest in rates and services.

The railways are now able to put in hand almost any kind of transporting, and to do a complete job.

The “Limited,” which covers the Main Trunk run between Auckland and Wellington in a little over fourteen hours for 426 miles, much of the distance being through difficult country, is an example of the high standard of efficiency attained in operating services on our system. Everything dovetails—there is a steady interlocking at the appointed time of all the related activities that make possible the nightly run of this de luxe service in each direction. Travellers are catered for pleasantly and completely all the way. In the sleeping cars, beds are made at the nominated time, orders for refreshments taken and fulfilled, newspapers distributed, and luggage handled with dependable regularity. In the ordinary cars, good lighting, comfortable seats, and assistance from a qualified staff make for pleasurable travel. Bookstalls and refreshment stations have staffs ready to give immediate attention to a widely varied demand from passengers, and tracks are cleared and signals set to secure prompt running throughout for this fine train.

And the attention bestowed on the “Limited” is typical of the standard set for less important services. Particularly is this so in the matter of safety, for the railways have now completed six successive years without occasioning one fatality amongst their 150 million passengers carried in that time.

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Similarly in regard to goods services, the railways have a very complete organisation and a skilled staff. They maintain a definite and adequate timetable, can handle sudden expansions of traffic, and provide a “through” service where required. Further, they “pay as they go” for all supplies and services, make provision for depreciation, and constantly keep timetables and tariffs under review to provide, on a sound economic basis, the trains necessary for the traffic offering. That is a statement, in general terms, of what the railways are doing.

But what of the railways' competitors? The competition which the Department has to meet is rarely sound. Much of it is founded on high hopes and no business knowledge. Long credit is common, and big losses are constantly reported. A tightening up of credit facilities would leave most of the opposition stranded, for it is clear that few of those whose businesses are mainly dependent upon competition with the railways are financially sound.

The railways are well situated to obtain the full benefit from the inevitable trade revival which will follow the restoration of international confidence, and they are “all set” and in good shape to take full advantage of any improvement in the general transport situation.

The Social Side of Railway Life

All through the Dominion there is a kind of inner social life maintained amongst members of the railway service which does much to make up for the loss of those outside social interests which members of a service where transfers loom largely must suffer to some extent.

This railway social life is maintained amongst all branches and on all sections by means of numerous special gatherings either arranged as annual or semi-annual functions or at odd times for valedictory, sport promotion, or other purposes of a social nature.

Because of their comparative frequency and the experience in their organisation gained by a large number of members in a wide variety of places, these social events are carried through with a high average of efficiency in achieving the purpose for which they are held—the development of social intercourse in its most pleasing form. Despite difficult times, those interested in organising this form of social activity have continued their efforts with marked success.

One among many such functions which came under our personal observation recently was the Annual Reunion of the Chief Accountant's Branch. Reference to the interesting speeches delivered on this occasion will be made in our next issue.

Railway Publicity Photographs
“Instructional and Educational.”

In acknowledging the supply of railway publicity material received for exhibition in connection with the Manual and Technical Branch at Avondale (Auckand) Technical School, Mr. W. N. Burgess writes as under:—

We intend having the photographs framed, and when placed on view these pleasing views will help thousands of children to visualize a few of the amazing difficulties that our railway builders had to overcome, before we could travel in our present day comfort. It will help those who have not travelled more than a few miles to realize the magnitue and the extent of the railway service.

This is a pleasing addition to our display of Empire products, and on behalf of the children I thank your Department for these photographs and literature, which will be of instructional and educational value for many years to come.