The breaking down of barriers between nations through the ever-increasing ease with which travel on and over the earth's surface is accomplished, has had a beneficial effect upon the individuals composing them. It has widened their understanding and increased their toleration. Similarly, the diffusion of education within each nation has made social life and intercourse easier. It now has its field of action rather on a gradual inclined plane than on a series of steep steps.

In the industrial world the application of scientific research to the principles of employment has shewn the need for changes in methods of management conformable with the ameliorating process going on in social life. Psychological studies have shewn how helpful a cheerful frame of mind is to successful operation, and much thought has been devoted to devising means where-by those engaged in industry may be kept happy in their employment.

Warmth, light, and orderliness, rest periods and pleasant surroundings all aid towards removing the irksomeness of the ancient curse of Adam.

Although the Railways of this country have not a special “Sociological Department,” such as is found in some ambitious industrial companies, there is no feature of modern sociological welfare work which has not received attention here. Our new workshops have devices for removing dust and gases; they have shower-baths and fire-brigades, luncheon rooms and catering, apprentice classes and first-aid outfits, libraries, and homes for employees. The present railway sick benefit fund carries a most generous subsidy to assist those suffering from sickness or injury. All this is practical sociological work, and is in line with what current social ideas hold to be good for society in general. It supplies the framework within which opportunity is provided for healthful expansion.

But the introduction of the social element supplies probably the greatest help in making the day's work go with a swing. In a widespread organisation such as the Railways this is particularly the case. There are many places in New Zealand where small communities are composed almost entirely of railway folk. They have to make their own amusements—and some of them do it very well. The Department has done a great deal in the way of supplying social halls in many parts of the system to encourage the social side of life amongst its employees. In the larger centres, as at the principal workshops, well laid out grounds have been provided, with ample facilities for sports, and lawns and gardens help to make the page 6 surroundings pleasing to the eye and restful to the nerves. All this tends to develop a feeling of friendship amongst those engaged in the same industry, a feeling which carries over into the hours of work and leads towards that teamwork from which the best results are obtained. Such friendships help to cushion the blows of unrelenting nature, brighten the general outlook on life with the warm glow of goodwill, and lead towards that physical well-being in which lies the power of resistance to the stresses and strains of modern life.