RAILWAY REORGANISATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2849, 21 February 1925, Page 2

RAILWAY REORGANISATION.

THE DEPARTMENT'S OPJECTIVE. Dunedin, February 111. The lion. J. ft. Coates, in a sjnierncnt made to-day. lias indicated that flic Railways Department now has in -contemplation the matter of providing facilities for enabling the railway staff to acquire a better knowledge, of the busness of the Department, and of the principles on which it should be carried on. "There is no doubt,’’ sals the Minister, "that much of the criticism to which the Department has been subject, though generally quite hones), has been based on lack of

adequate knowledge of the Department’s problems on the part of the public. The first essential step in the removal of this condition of affairs, is to educate the railway staff —particularly those who come in contact with tiie public, in a course of the Department’s business. This will enable them adequately to state the case if or the Department to the public when the Department- is right, and to state the case with equal confidence to the management when they conceive that something requires amendment. It is recognised that the best means of obtaining efficiency and good understanding with the Department’s customers is to educate the staff, who in turn, will he the best means of educating the public. “The despatch of officers abroad is in pursuance of this policy, but in addition, it is proposed to take action along the lines of affording the staff increased educational facilities in railway matters in the Dominion itself. It is for instance, proposed to issue a journal dealing with transport mattei's, chiefly, though not necessarily wholly, as affecting the railways. This journal will pe compiled and issued under the auspices of the Department and it is hoped that in this country, as in oilier countries, if may be possible to produce a publication that will he worth while not only to the railwaymen, hut also to the general public, and especially those whose business gives them a special in--1 crest iii transport problems. Other facilities fur education such as might be afforded through the practical encouragement Iry the department of meetings at which lectures might he given or prepared papers read and dismissed are also under consideration. As work in this direction develops, it might he found desirable and possible to enlist the co-operation of University and other outside educational authorities, as is being done in other countries. •■A special study of what is being achieved along this line elsewhere will be made by one of the officers going abroad, but in the meantime, the whole question is engaging ltie earnest attention of mvf and the hoard of management, with a view to making at least a commencement at the earliest possible date. Tin* foregoing remarks may lie summed up in the statement ilia! when the system is complete iti organisation, every member of tin* service will be afforded opportunities for promotion commensurate with bis ability and bis value to the Department. For instance; a hoi who joins the service as lamp boy can. with the facilities placed at his disposal, through our educational proposal, attain any position in the Department, provided he proves his capacity to undertake the duties involved.”