page 8

Railway Progress In New Zealand
General Manager's Message.
The Railways And Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is always an interesting subject, particularly to members of the Railways Service whose duties and responsibilities demand that those engaged in train movements, track maintenance and other phases of railway operation should be able always to withstand the strain imposed on them by an occupation calling for alertness, quickness of thought and action and, on many occasions, considerable physical exertion.

The Department accordingly demands a high standard of physical fitness from those entering the Service. It also assists to maintain this standard by encouraging all movements likely to develop the physique of its junior members, and clubs for recreational purposes are given practical assistance and fostered by the Department.

I have always believed that, apart from the duty we owe to ourselves, personal fitness is a duty we owe to our employer. One need not seek far for evidence of the fact that the main source of personal happiness and satisfaction in life is found in physical fitness and good health.

It is the man who does not take precautions to keep fit who is liable to become “accident prone” and a potential danger not only to himself but also to his fellow-workers and others.

Properly understood, the art of keeping physically fit is one of the most important of all the arts—and probably one of the simplest. It is the basis of that standard of health from which a happy nature and goodwill spring. It inculcates moderation, strengthens the character, helps to produce an equable mind, and is the source of courage and enterprise in the things that are worth while.

Just as it is the aim of the administration to have every vehicle and every piece of equipment fit and capable for the work they are called on to do, so it should be the aim of each member of the service to so equip himself physically that his share in the work of the Railways and of the community generally can be carried out efficiently and with the greatest satisfaction and pleasure to himself and his fellow men.

The practice of keeping fit, like other good habits, should be cultivated in our youth, as the earlier the practice begins the more enjoyable it becomes and the more enduring will be the results. Nor it need not cost anything in establishing, by means of physical fitness, what I regard as the best asset one can possess—Good Health.

General Manager.