A Rousing Speech
Clearing The Air

The General Manager's Unequivocal Statement of the Railway Economic Position, at the Accountant's Branch Annual Reunion in Wellington.

In responding to the toast of “The General Manager” at the Accountant's Branch reunion, Mr. H. H. Sterling, who was given a splendid ovation on rising to speak, said that he desired to thank Mr. Valentine heartily for the kind things he had said. In doing this, perhaps unconsciously he had set the General Manager a task harder than he thought, for when matters were stated in this way there was a possibility of making men expect more than could possibly be lived up to.

When he took over the general-managership of the Railways he knew that the job was no sinecure. He had given the subject very serious thought, and he desired now that there might be no false standards set up. Much had been written of what the change in management would bring about, and many articles had been written round the epigramatic phrase “Making the Railway Pay.” “Now,” said Mr. Sterling, “in the common acceptance of that term, if they think I can do that, well—they're wrong! (Applause.) This country must inevitably have a transport service, and the owners must be prepared to sink something in its developmental work. That investment is sure of realisation, but it may not be for some time yet. I have the utmost faith in this country. It has the best climate and the best soil, and it is without a single pest —except those transported here. (Laughter.) I am sure that the men of the Railways are as good in their line as are those engaged in any other line of business! (Applause.)

Mr. Sterling went on to say that he was talking and would continue to talk to the public in an endeavour to induce them to give respect to the opinions and actions of railway men on railway matters. “Railway men,” said Mr. Sterling, “can do their job, and in the nature of things must be presumed to know more about it than anyone else. Further, railwaymen would take the chance to extend their business of given the opportunity.” “I believe,” he continued, “that the Branch Heads, to the extent that they are specialists each in his own line, know more about their jobs than I do, and any man can take all the responsibility he likes. I will not hold him up about it. In fact I will like him all the better for it. I am convinced that railwaymen can make good if they have the will, and also that they have the will to make good.”

He went on to say that there were no soft jobs in the Railways. They were working against pressure both in regard to time and also in regard to the necessity for accuracy. As their industry was spread throughout the length and breadth of the country their opportunities to assoc late with their fellows freely were much more limited than in other industries that were more concentrated as to space, hence he believed that railwaymen should take every opportunity that was available for social intercourse. Mr. Sterling then said how his own views had changed in regard to this matter in recent years.

“When I was a very young fellow and full of ‘ginger,’ I used to regard such things as morning tea as effeminate and a waste of time! In these latter years, however, I have seen the folly of that point of view, and in regard to morning tea, I really believe that in that five minutes break, the opportunity which it gives to talk freely with those about you is far more valuable for the Department than would be ten minutes applied to the routine of work!” (Applause.)

He knew that much was expected of him and he would do his best to measure up to the standard, and he would try, so far as the staff was concerned to give every man a fair spin. (Applause.) He valued greatly the private business experience which his association with the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company had given him, and in the light of that experience he confidently believed there would be a swing of business to the Railways from the irresistible operation of economic fact.

In regard to the competition of motors which were operating against the Railways, they knew page 15 that much of it was on a very uneconomic basis. He fully realised that the situation in regard to rail transport could never be the same as before the coming of the motor, and he thought it was a wrong view to regard the motor as the natural enemy of the railway—rather the motor could increase business for the railway. However, before matters were finally adjusted on a sound economic basis, they would still be faced with a good deal of trouble from the motor carrier and in educating the public to a proper point of view. A big educational campaign would have to be carried on in this direction.

Speaking of inter-departmental affairs, Mr. Sterling said he appreciated every opportunity to meet his officers apart from the drabness of the daily round, because under the latter conditions men were not in the best form to absorb new ideas and gain the best from each other. “I ask,” he said, “—and believe I will get—the hearty co-operation of you all in the task before us, and success is assured if all are working really together. When that is achieved, we can say that we have done the best possible, and no one can do more. I am not going to attempt the impossible,” continued Mr. Sterling.

He went on to say that he was aware of his obligations to the Accountancy Branch. They were often called upon to supply information at extremely short notice. “Not once yet have I fallen down because I did not get the information required from your Branch. I expect to place a yet further tax upon your resources. Further, there is a big educational campaign necessary to show the people the things that count—solid education in regard to railway transport, its public facilities and economics. This will have to be carried on persistently to achieve results.

I am prepared to talk over a problem at any time with any member of the staff, and while

The Proposed New Terminal Railway Station for Wellington.

I hope that the position which I occupy will never, through me, be robbed of the dignity to which it is entitled, I should be sorry to feel that anyone would have any diffidence in approaching me regarding his problems.' He believed that an exchange of ideas were certainly required to deal with the new situation that had arisen in the transport world. “There are” said Mr. Sterling “sections of the public who at present expect me to make an economic success from uneconomic conditions.” While it might be possible in private business to temporarily adopt uneconomic measures to uneconomic competition, that could not be done in a Government position.

In a stirring peroration, Mr. Sterling declared his firm faith in the railways, but stated that they would not come to fruitfulness until the country came to fruitfulness, possible many years hence. Obscure thinking alone had made others come to a wrong belief. He would remind them that before the motors came, the people of the country had their view of the railways in a truer perspective; but now a great amount of discussion and debate was taking place through lack of understanding of the situation which existed at present. But this must be carried on until they were able to place the railways in their proper place in the estimation of the public and in the economic structure of the country. In his position as General Manager, he realised that the management of the railways was no one man's job, and had to satisfy himself on two questions: (1) Could the railwaymen of New Zealand “deliver the goods” if given the chance, and (2) would they take the chance if given it? “I have every confidence.” concluded Mr. Sterling, “in giving an affirmative answer to both questions.” (Prolonged applause.)