The recent annual reunion, at Wellington, of the Chief Accountant's Staff of the New Zealand Railways, was one of the most successful and enjoyable functions of the kind held for many years. The gathering was presided over by Mr. H. Valentine, Chief Accountant, and the speeches throughout the evening were marked by many interesting references to the past and present position of the railways and the important part they are destined to play in the future. Responding to the toast of the Management, proposed by Mr. W. Bishop, Assistant Chief Accountant (Expenditure), Mr. H. H. Sterling, General Manager of Railways, made an appeal for the continued assistance of the staff in solving the many presentday problems of the railways.

On rising to speak, Mr. Sterling was greeted with applause. He said: “Mr. chairman and fellow officers, I feel it is a privilege to be present again at your annual re-union. I have stated, I think, that the humanising influence so valuable to an administrative officer can only really be fully obtained by that personal contact, which, this evening, is made under such pleasant circumstances. We have recently been going through strenuous times, but hard work never killed any man—worry might. I feel now that the Royal Commission has presented its report public opinion is definitely crystallising on this important question of transportation.

“I would like at once to pay my tribute to the way in which the Chief Accountant's Branch stood up to its job in connection with the work of the Royal Commission. The returns and statements required were voluminous, and in many cases intricate, but in no instance was there any failure to produce the information as and when required. I greatly appreciate the high quality of the work that was done.

“The Commission has come and gone, and at a social gathering of this nature I do not propose going into many aspects of their report. It may be the forerunner of much that will tend to clarify confusion of thought as evidenced in public criticism on the railway question. The question “Do the Railways Pay?” must be considered in relation to the usefulness to the Dominion as well as to actual financial results. When we are judged by financial results it must not be overlooked that we do not frame the policy under which the Railways are worked.

Loyalty to Management Strengthens Business.

“I am pleased at the general spirit of loyalty displayed to the management by the staff. Occasionally one finds an isolated case—and in such a large staff there will be such cases—of misguided members who see no wrong, for instance, in giving away departmental information. Such action does not harm the General Manager, but so far as any member through his action does anything that would tend to weaken the management, then he is damaging himself and his fellow members; for any action that tends to weaken the management must weaken the service as a whole.

“The year has been one of importance to the Chief Accountant's Division. Some review of the branch has taken place, but reviews are really always going on. In these days of rapidly changing conditions new ideas are always welcome. Make no apology, but see your Chief Accountant and discuss any new methods that appear to have advantages. I want the assistance of all.

“I again thank you for the valued assistance during the past year. Let us all do our job thoroughly, and we may look forward confidently to the future.”

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