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Railway Progress in New Zealand
General Manager's Message
Travel Savings Stamps.

The Board has decided to introduce, as a trial, the issue of Travel Savings Stamps in the strong belief that there are many people with restricted incomes who are unable, under existing arrangements, to make a lengthy train journey or a visit to the more attractive scenic and tourist resorts, owing to the fact that they have, during the course of the year, possibly expended in inconsequential trifles sufficient money to provide them with the necessary fare. By means of these stamps the inconsequential trifles, might, it is thought, be well replaced by provision for a holiday.

All our principal stations will carry stocks of the travel saving stamps, and these may be purchased to any required amount. As it is desired to afford every person an opportunity to commence saving for travel, the stamps have been prepared in the comparatively low denominations of 1/-, 2/-, 2/6d, and 5/-. It is intended to provide other denominations as the demand develops.

I feel that, in affording this opportunity for laying by savings for the purpose of making a train journey at some suitable time, the Board is doing something which should appeal to the public and result in increased business for the Railways.

It is realised that much of the success of the new savings system will depend upon the manner in which the staff submit it to intending patrons, and I would request every member to make the path of the prospective purchaser of travel savings stamps, young or old, as clear and comfortable as possible. This can be done by directing the applicant correctly regarding the place of purchase, taking a courteous interest in the buyer's object in obtaining the stamps, and giving helpful advice as to the places which would be worth visiting when the time comes for converting the saved stamps into railway tickets.

The staff can help, too, by personally recommending the purchase of stamps amongst their friends and associates as a simple way of effecting savings that will ensure to the purchaser a healthful holiday by rail.

General Manager.

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