Mr. F. J. Jones (Chairman)

The first issue of the “New Zealand Railways Magazine” provides a land mark in the history of the railways. The aim of the “Magazine” is to develop that community of interest and team work without which it is impossible to get good results. All ranks are therefore asked to rally to its support. While there are many amongst us who may feel a diffidence about contributing, each and all can at least “read, learn and inwardly digest.”

The motto of the “Magazine” “For Better Service” deserves the thoughtful consideration of every member of the staff. Carried to its logical conclusion it denotes high ideals and good practice. In every direction, avenues for better service will open up before those anxious to give of their best. In a transport service such as ours carrying some twenty-six million passengers per annum and some seven million tons of goods there are endless opportunities of showing courtesy, tact, and assistance to the travelling public. Every passenger, every consignor of goods, is a client of the Department and is entitled to the best service that can be given. And, let me say, the public is very appreciative even of the little courtesies extended to it, therefore endeavour to send it away satisfied.

Another way in which the Department can be served is in the recollection that all new or added business that comes to the Railway is a gain, and makes it that much easier to meet our obligations. Much has been done by the Commercial Branch, by Stationmasters, and others in obtaining extra business. But there is still much to do. Endeavour, therefore, to turn all business possible on to the railway. To do this clients must be given every consideration and courtesy, because it must always be remembered that the only claim we have for the added business is the service which we give.

A further field for better service that offers unlimited scope is that of the reduction of operating expenditure. A great gain forward is made when the economies possible are fully appreciated by the staff. Economy does not mean cheese paring or cutting expenditure without an equivalent gain, but it does mean stopping up every avenue of waste. It means, in effect, cultivating the financial sense.

There are many ways in which savings in operating can be made in train scheduling, in track up-keep, in shop work, in goods handling, in control of stores, etc.

For our present purpose it is not necessary here to go into details; but I do want to draw special attention to the control and use of stores and to the assembling and stacking of second hand material much of which has a large value. In Railway business as in a private merchant's business the stocks on hand should be the least quantity that will efficiently carry on.

The staff of the New Zealand Railways has shown on occasions innumerable that it can be depended upon to rise to the emergency when necessity calls. Disorganisation of train services resulting from slips, floods, and other causes, is tackled by all hands with a vigour and capacity beyond praise. In the same way the reorganisation of train services, of accounts, of tariff and commercial matters has been tackled, and the Board is very appreciative of the good work done. There is, however, still a tremendous amount to do. It may be said that there is no end to what can be done, and we look with confidence to the staff to carry on without relaxation of effort. Our aim must be to give the best service that can be given at the least possible cost; to extend our activities to feeding services; to stretch out our tentacles, so that we may eventually embrace the whole land transport of the Dominion.