VITAL RAILWAY LINK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 134, 8 June 1929, Page 21

VITAL RAILWAY LINK.

PAEROA-POKENO ROUTE,

MINISTER IMPRESSED

'IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION."

Fertile valleys and plains and stock browsing contentedly on well-watered, sylvan lands impressed the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. B. Taverner), when yesterday he made an extensive tour of the Hauraki Plains for the purpose of gathering, first-hand information as to the advisability of starting the construction of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway. After journeying over the proposed railway route, which for the most part runs parellel with the roadway, and inspecting suggested station sites, already pegged out, the Minister assured settlers of full and immediate conideration of the. scheme and an early decision by Cabinet. Leaving Axickland yesterday morning, Mr. Taverner and party motored to Paeroa, via Pokeno, Xgatea, and Kerepeehi to the other junction at Paeroa, where parliamentarians of all shades of political opinion and representatives of various local bodies, land development leagues and chambers of commerce combined in voicing the claims of the district to the line, which is calculated to make the Hauraki Plains one of the most productive dairying districts in New Zealand. Guests at a luncheon tendered the Minister included Hon. A. J. Stallwovthy (Minister of Health), Messrs. A. M. Samuels, H. R. Jenkins, G. C. Munns, A. W. Hall, J. N. Massey, W. Lee Martin and C. E. Macmillan, M.P.'s, and Mayors ffom as far afield as Tfiuraiiga.

The Mayor of Paeroa, Mr. W. Marshall, presided, and in welcoming Mr. Taverner, said that the size of the gathering was the most expressive, argument that could be presented to him in favour of the railway. Looking to the future, he foresaw yet a greater gathering when the Minister turned the first sod in the construction of the Paeroa-Pokeno line. Fertility of District.

Responding to the toast of his health, Mr. Taverner said he could not but be struck by the extraordinary fertility and obvious potentialities of the district which the * PaerOa-Pokeno railway was destined to traverse. He was reminded of the fact that Sir George Grey had said that the Hauraki Plains were capable of carrying a million of population. Whether "or not that dream would be realised remained for the future to decide, but the development of the country in the past fifteen years had been truly remarkable. Useless swamp had been converted into one of the richest dairying regions in the Dominion. It had to be remembered that the demand for railway extensions was collective, though the use of those facilities was a matter for individual choice. When the Paroa-Pokeno line was provided —and he was bold enough to say it would be provided before long, because it was obvious that it must come —settlers would have to realise their responsibilities and support it, as the" railway would be just as much their business as his own.

Tm'ning of First Sod. Railway extension must be considered from the'national and not the parochial standpoint, Mr. Taverner said, and remembering this his elevation to Cabinet rank had dispossessed him of inter-island jealously. "Nothing will give me greater pleasure than to turn the first sod of the Paeroa-Pokenb railway," he added. "As the result of what I have been, coupled with your lavish hospitality, I ■will not only investigate the railway from every angle, but the project will have full regard as a matter of national policy, and Cabinet will be asked to consider it in the immediate future. We cannot do everything at once, but you have a right to share in the expenditure of public money, and that right will be kept steadily in view. I feel that the question of the Paeroa-Pokeno line should be elevated above party politics. It is everyone's job. Your claims will received every consideration, and you will have the added satisfaction of knowing that the matter will be considered from the local and national points of view." (Applause.) The Hon. A. J. Stallworthy said he regarded the Paeroa-Pokeno line not as an isolated railway, but as part of the arterial trunk system of the Dominion. It was a bold stoke on the part of settlers- to invite the Minister into their district, but it was a step that was indicative of their faith in the economic aspect of f'" line. "I wish you luck.' he added. "I am not saying what I will do or will not do, but I believe the Pae-roa-Pokeno railway is a necessary link in the arterial railway system of New Zealand, and if established it would pay handsomely." Seven MJP.'s All In Favour. Mr. A. W. Hall (Hauraki) promised support for the line, adding: "No proposed railway has greater possibilities for paying-the cost of construction than the Paeroa-Pokeno line." Mr. J. N. Massey (Franklin) also associated himself with the movement. _ I am a strong advocate of the line, which will bring the Bay of Plenty within easy distance of the distributing centre at Auckland. It will have the effect of removing a lot of traffic from the roads, thereby reducing overhead charges to the farming community." "If the Reform Government had started the Paeroa-Pokeno railway there would never have been any stopping of it as the United party have stopped the Taupo line," declared Mr. W. Lee Martin (Raglan) who concurred in the view that affairs of State that concern the people generally should be removed from party considerations. Mr. G. C. Munne (Mount Roskill) was impressed with the possibilities of the link. "It is one of the foremost things that we in the Auckland province and the Dominion have to consider asrae of the country's most urgent needs, he said. "I stand as an absolute advocate for the Paeroa-Pokeno railway. Mr. H. R. Jenkins (Parnell) was of the opinion that the project should be started immediately. The construction of the line was a national matter. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Thames) was pleased to hear the Minister and other speakers strike the national note, ±ie felt that if the Government started we line there would not be one diseentiae* voice heard from one end of New Zealand to the other. ~ Mr. C. E. Macmillan (Tauranga) said the construction of the Paeroa-Pokeno line would shorten the transportation oi Bay of Plenty produce to Auckland by 45 miles. It would promote land development in the district he represented and obviate the necessity of the full duplication of the Mpg b^jge^j^MJiwfflfl^^^ ,