RAILWAYS MANAGEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1925, Page 4

RAILWAYS MANAGEMENT

TOP HEAVY. ' The following criticism of the cost of administration in the Kailway Department appears in the latest issue of the “Xew Zealand Locomotive Engineers’ .Journal ” : The Xew Zealand Kailways are *• top-heavy ” • that is, the cost ci administration has outrun the expense involved in connection with the usual expenses required in staffing a railway. and the additional appointments are increasing the “top weight.” The sit afT engaged in the management side was 071 in the year 1911, which increased to 003 in the year 1010, with proportionate cost to the users of the railways, lint the increase has been from 003 in 1010 to 1030 in the year lf/23—an increase of 50 per cent. Xo other branch of the service shows such an increase in personnel and in costs, to the users, and this shows conclusively that before the rank and file should he overhauled, the very seat oi “railway government” requires clean ing up. It seems most extraordinary that a railway concern'should allow its administrative side to become so cosllv and it may well he asked, is there efficiency at the head 'i The .Ministei would do well to look further into this “ top-heaviness ” of our railways. “ DEAD AT THE TOP.” In the course of another article dealing with discipline in the railways, the “Journal” makes the following relerenocs to the first division of the service : We voice the opinion of our members when we say that. generally speaking, the men in Xew Zealand consider their officers iar from being efficient in their management. It seems that when a member gets into the first division lie thinks he is in ■‘calm water,” and his most important duty is to keep the swivel of his seat well greased and float along—coming to and going from work witli the regularity of a clock. These men should l;e tested from time to time as to their fitness to hold their jobs, and always lie excelled to keep in advance of their subordinates in railway knowledge. Lor many years past the service has beem recognised by the men as being “dead at the top,” and .no one beneath was welcomed if he challenged the knowledge of his superiors. Plainly, the men Celt that they were not wanted to know too much as they might disturb the tranquil life of the officers whose swivel chairs swung round sweetly to ink the paper with a record o! a heavy line.