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Railway Progress in New Zealand.
General Manager's Message.

It has been well said of the transport industry that everybody has an interest in railroad recovery. Hence the fact that the Railways here are finishing their 1937-1938 financial year with the highest revenue ever recorded is of general interest, and is a hopeful sign for the country as a whole as well as for the future of the Railways.

The records of business transacted reaching me week by week, and my personal observation of traffic movements in the course of visits from time to time to the various districts of our system all prove the marked activity in every branch of railway operation. Our four main Workshops, considered by some just a few years ago to be far in excess of any possible needs, are all working to capacity and have required some further extension and increased machinery.

Goods shed and shipping work has increased at every centre, and the passenger traffic has been maintained with remarkable steadiness, the latter this year missing the sag that usually occurs between the Christmas and Easter holidays. Besides the increased use of the Railways for travel by New Zealanders, there has been a notable stimulus through the increased tourist traffic reaching this country for travel during our summer months. Many visitors whom I have seen have explained just why this country is now proving so attractive to them. First there is the increased publicity given to New Zealand by the Government Departments concerned in this work. Then there are the general travel agencies and shipping companies engaged in filling cruise ships and other vessels visiting New Zealand with general tourists, as well as health and home-seekers.

Amongst Americans I find that New Zealand's attraction lies largely in the peace and quietness it promises from both the pace and the incessant activities of their home country and also what they believe to be the existing uncertainties and risks of travel either in Europe or the Orient. There is also a greatly increased exchange of travel between Australia and New Zealand.

I am sure it is good for the members of the Railway Department to make contact with the increasing range of travellers from so many overseas countries, and that in learning their wants and in providing them with a pleasing, courteous service, they will gain a greater knowledge of how to make all travellers and other users of the Railways contented and happy while they are in the care of the Department.

General Manager.