LOYALTY IN RAILWAY SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 128, 3 June 1919, Page 3

LOYALTY IN RAILWAY SERVICE

REMARKS BY NEW GENERAL MANAGER

j The late General Manager of Railways, | in proposing the health of the Chairman ; at the recent send-off smoke concert to Mr. Hiley, made mention ofthe fact that a great deal of th© working time of his daily hours was in direct contact with Mr. M'Villy, and .from the intimacy formed, and knowledge acquired, he could conscientiously say that the Department had a" thoroughly efficient and up-to-date General Manager. In thanking Mr. Hiley for proposing his health, Mr. M'Villy made striking reference to the spirit'of loyalty which should 23ermeat& the service. When it was understood that there were some 13,000 employees engaged in one of the largest departments of the State, it naturally followed that the responsibilities involved must be enormous. Mr. M'Villy went on to enunciate his attitude regarding loyalty of the staff in all matters pertaining to the welfare of themselves, and to the well running of the railways in general. The earning power of the railways was dependent upon good management, and it was necessary for the management to h.ave the whole-hearted co-operation qf the staff to ensure that. He was deeply conscious of that, because he determined that those members of the staff, should be impressed with a spirit of loyalty to their responsible heads; a loyalty which should count more than ordinary service, "'ft ie my aim," continued Mr. M'Villy, "to please the staif as far as justice can be meted out, but it.must be remembered that only those who loyally support the Department can expect to get satisfaction, and advance in the service. There may be disappointments, as most naturally occur, but the onus of respoasibility rests with me. After my decision is given, which is not done without careful thought, it is without hesitation I declare it. I have had a good deal of experience in. railway matters, and in the best interests of the service I will always consider the railway num whose ability and loyalty can recommend him to warrant .advancement in the service." It might appear to some that a hardship was placed upon hint or them, but he could assure his hearers that in the best interests of the service, he was actuated by no other motive than placing the best fitted to make the railways the most payable adjunct of the State. Mr. M'Villy stressed the point that the loyal man of the Department who faithfully and conscientiously carried, out the duties required by his immediate superior would receive due recognition. It was loyalty to Qne's self, and to those in charge, that make for the advancement of the Eailway Department. Mr. M'Villy compared the component parts of the staff of the Eailway Service to links in a chain, the strength of which was the strength of its weakest link, and eaid that the man who was not loyal to himself, to his department, and to his mates, was an inefficient,, and of no value t to any service.