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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 3 (June 1, 1934.)

Railway Progress in New Zealand General Manager's Message

page 8

Railway Progress in New Zealand General Manager's Message

The very definite improvement in passenger and freight business during the financial year ended the 31st March last is good proof that the public have appreciated the Railway Board's policy of meeting the difficult depression period with adjustments which have reduced railway operating costs, improved services wherever economically possible, and given concessions in fares and freights when such a course was likely to have an ultimately beneficial effect upon revenue.

It is a matter for congratulation to all concerned that the whole of this policy has been carried through without decreasing in the slightest degree the efficiency of the service in any of its many branches.

When the main proposals for adjustments in the Department to deal with the decreased transport of the depression period were put into operation, it was explained that the railways were still working with a staff and equipment capable of efficiently handling any increase in business which might result from a fuller use of the rail. This claim has been justified by the results in recent months. More business has been handled and, from personal contact with business people throughout the Dominion, I am assured that at no time has the quality of service rendered by the Department been in higher esteem with the public. This bears out my own personal observation and that of my executive officers throughout the service. In the course of a complete inspection of the whole railway organisation in every part of New Zealand, I have found the staff efficient, loyal and equal to the work they are called upon to do, and at the same time developing individually a strong commercial instinct which is helping to obtain more and more business for the Department.

The additional business the Railways have already gained aids in taking up the slack of employment in many places where minimum staffs had to be kept and supplemented by “spares” to deal with busy periods. But when the time comes that pressure of additional business calls for an increase in the total staff of the Department, all the facilities are available for their training and equipment to carry on, with steadily maintained efficiency, that threefold service of “safety, comfort, economy” from which the Department gains, and strives to maintain unblemished, its principal slogan.

General Manager.

General Manager.