page 10

Railway Progress in New Zealand
General Manages's Message
The Spirit of Goodwill

The near approach of the season of goodwill may assist us to remember that conditions generally are very much better in the railway world than they have been for some years past. This applies to railways in almost every country; for, as the facts of the transport situation are made clearer, the predominating importance of the railways in the transport field is leading to a fuller appreciation of the real service they render in the economic life of the country. From this has arisen a policy of regulation which tends to preserve for the nation concerned an equilibrium as between road and rail to ensure that the best qualities of each may be turned to good account in the public interest.

In New Zealand the principle of transport regulation has been recognised as the only feasible course to reduce transport costs for the community, and where the principle is judicially applied in accordance with the terms of existing legislation undoubted benefit should accrue not only to the industry but to the country as a whole.

The Railway Administration has pursued a policy designed to give a service as helpful as the circumstances applying to each kind of traffic might necessitate, and has been rewarded by a distinct improvement in the financial returns from the undertaking and an increasing goodwill amongst all sections of the community.

In securing this improvement the staff have most willingly played their part with a high degree of attentiveness and judgment, resulting in general appreciation of their courtesy to the public and assistance in extending the Department's usefulness to its customers.

Goodwill creates goodwill, and this fact is certainly borne out in the experience of the Management and staff in their relations with the public as well as in the internal affairs of the Department; and in this spirit the Board desires me to express, on its behalf, the Season's Greetings to all clients and members of the Department, and its best wishes for a pleasant festive season and a prosperous New Year. I desire heartily to associate myself with these greetings and good wishes.

General Manager.