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Railway Progress in New Zealand
General Manager's Message
Railways in Wartime

Since my last message was written, the impending European crisis has reached its climax in Great Britain's declaration of war with Germany. This brings our Railways once more under wartime conditions. Those of us who had the job of keeping the services going in the Great War of 1914–1918 know something of the problems which will confront us should the present conflict assume proportions at all comparable with those of the last war. I know it is the hope and prayer of all of us that there may be an early and honourable peace.

It is our business, however, to prepare against any emergency, and I feel confident of the capacity and determination of our railwaymen to meet all the demands the country may make upon them. There is good reason for that confidence. I saw something of the work of our staff in confronting difficulties of an extreme kind due to the exceptional weather conditions of the winter from which we have just emerged. I want to thank one and all for the way in which they guarded the Department's passengers against accident and protected the Department's property with forethought, skill and good judgment when harassed by the bitterest weather conditions–snow and ice, torrential rains and floods, with accompanying slips and washouts, and disorganisation of services. I am proud to know that not once was there any failure on the part of any railwayman to do his utmost to maintain services, repair damages and guard the interests of passengers and Department alike. On the contrary, members worked with energy and devotion for the common good in a manner which won the highest praise from those who had the opportunity to see what was being done.

That is the spirit which I know actuates the men of the Railways to-day; and as the British Commonwealth of Nations, of which New Zealand is a member, enters upon the present conflict, I am confident the staff of our Railways will respond at all times with unswerving loyalty to whatever demands the circumstances of the times may place upon them.

We are all at one with the stirring words and noble sentiments of New Zealand's Prime Minister who, in his recent broadcast speech, said:–

“I am satisfied that nowhere will the issue be more clearly understood than in New Zealand–where, for almost a century, behind the sure shield of Britain, we have enjoyed and cherished freedom and self-government. Both with gratitude for the past, and with confidence in the future, we range ourselves without fear beside Britain. Where she goes, we go. Where she stands, we stand. We are only a small and young nation, but we are one and all a band of brothers, and we march forward with a union of hearts and wills to a common destiny.”

General Manager.

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