THE RAILWAY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVII, Issue 10146, 8 August 1929, Page 3

THE RAILWAY

PROPOSED EXTENSION TO OPOTIKI

:eport on conference

The following report on the first Auckland Provincial Conference of Chambers of Commerce, held at Auckland on July 10 and 11, was presented to the last meeting of the Opotiki Chamber of “’Commerce by the President (Mr W. J. Scott) :

As the representative of the Opotiki Chamber of Commerce, I attended this Conference. Our Ccamber’s remit was moved by me on the afternoon of the 10th, as follows : “That this Conference urges upon the Government the advisability of proceeding immediately with construction of the Taneatua-Opo-tiki section of the East Coast Main Trunk Line, and, while recognising the Paeroa-Pokeno deviation is a necessary adjunct of the East Coast line, considers that the completion of the line to Opotiki is of the first importance, being calculated to develop the earning power of the line to its fullest capacity, and that the __ soundest economical policy would he to construct both lines simultaneously in c rder that the traffic, when developed. should tia\cl by the shortest route to the principal market.” In speaking to the remit, 1 used the arguments in support of it which, in my opinion, were the most likely to influence members of the Conference. In accordance with a prior arrangement, the motion was seconded by Mr A. Ross, who spoke briefly in support of it. After several speeches- in which an element of opposition appeared, Mr B. C. Robbins spoke ably and forcibly in support of the proposed railway extension^ In the subsequent discussion several amendments were suggested by Auckland members, but they were such as I could not accept. At this stage the Chairman, Mr H. T. Merritt, suggested that a committee comprising Messrs Merritt and Limn (Auckland), Robbins and myself, with the Secretary (Dr Neil) be set up to draft a resolution that would be more acceptable to the. Conference. This suggestion was agreed to by me and by -Mr Robbins. The committee met early next morning, when 1 found that _it was necessary to refute a persistent rumour to the effect that there was a possibility of obtaining ashorter railway route between Tancatua and Motuhora by taking the line away from Opotiki through the Urcwcra Country. Fortunately I was in a position to prove the absurdity of this rumour. After an animated discussion and mature deliberation we agreed to alter the wording of th© resolution to the following-.—“ This Conference is of opinion that the East Coast Main Trunk Line from Auckland to Gisborne, if constructed, would carry a heavier traffic than almost any other line projected in New Zealand, and urges the desirability of pressing forward the construction of the Tan-eatua-Opotiki-Gisborne’ line, the Government having satisfied itself as to the superiority of the Opotiki route, over alternative ones in regard to construction cost! and prospect of ultimate return thereon.” With the consent of the Conference I moved the amended resolution in the afternoon, making a few explanatory remarks in doing so. No real opposition was offered, and when the Chairman called on me to reply to the debate I was able to say that there was nothing to reply to, and asked the conference to pass the resolution unanimously, as the proposed railway, if constructed, would benefit the whole of tho Auckland Province. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The position now is that wc have the backing of the whole of the Auckland Provincial District in our efforts to obtain a continuation of railway construction from Taneatua to Opotiki and Motuhora. I wish to pay a tribute to th© courtesy, tact and reasonableness t of. the president and secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.