RAILWAY CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1931, Page 5

RAILWAY CONTROL

MR STERLING’S MESSAGE.

AN ADVENTURE WITH ODDS Urt SUCCE^J. The change in control of the railway in Afiv Zealand, is viewed uitn V-, .Will uy ii.e general manager, Mr j.. ti. diurnng, in a message winch lie lias Coiitnbuud to tne latest issue oi lne i.aimey .uagi.ziue. , “-a great adventure, with the odds on succeoo—c.utt is now tne change in tiie system of administration adopted under tne Kailways Amendment Act of 1931 impres.iis me,” writes Mr Sterling. “Jt represents the mater.alisation of an idea with possibilities for the future welfare of the railway system of the Dominion and cf the Dominion itself. B USES FAS' MANAG EM ENT.

“The freeing of the department from the deflecting or d.spousing power of non-business influences and considerations clear the decks for the emergence of a policy which will allow the principles of modern business management to have fuller play.

“The responsibilities of the hoard are great and obvious. Equally great, if hot greater, is the responsibility of tile public to adjust its point Of view and its methods of approach to the railway business to conform to the'hew Coltditionfe. Tile olnilige eollnoteS the abandonment of the polit-’eal point of. vie fins affecting the department’s business and of political channels of approach to the department. The extent and effectiveness of the change in both these aspects will in the last- analysis, depends on the public itself. It is a great opportunity. EFFECT ON STAFF.

“Much interest has been felt through out the service in the probab’e effect cf the change in control of the railways, upon the position and prospects of members. Therefore to the members of the staff 1 would give this message. “The change means the emancipation of the department from trammelling influences. Otir main consideration now is to get the business and do the job. If we don’t get the business then there is no job. There can he no such thingsas sheltered positions in the service—everyone must be able to prove himself necessary and valuable to the department or there is no reason for his employment. “It is m.v belief that the.new order provides a way past many, stumbling blocks which have hitherto,, impeded progress and made our services not understood. From now on we should find fuller opportunity for all the business capacity and enterprise within the department in watching expenditure, inducing patronage, and producing a service dependable in every respect and worthy of a great nationally-owned public institution.” •