OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1262, 18 October 1911, Page 6

OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

MINISTER'S AOT MEMBERS.

In Hip Douse of Representatives yos> tcrd.iy afternoon, Ihe A t'o L rci'ilioue Committee reported that certain petitions for th« construction of a branch railway line through South Taranaki to connect lli» Opunalic district with the new line should bo referred to the Government for consideration.

Mr. Penree expressed surprise that no decision had been come to in regard to the Opunnke railway because it' would bo ono of the best paying branch lines in New Zealand, lie quoted from the statement made by tho Minister for Public Works at Opunake in confirmation of hi* statement. The Minister had stakd th.\t it was one of the first branch railway* that ehould be made as it would be most profitable. At llawera the Minister had uiado a similar statement. Hβ was sorry that on tho Estimates there was money to be voted for two other lees important branch lines and nono for Opunake. lie did not know what the reason was for this btile of affairs, unless it was that there was a difference about tho route, and that some misguided electors had decided to ask the, Minister for Agriculture to contest' one of the iwsntj in Tarnnnki. Meantime tho line was hung up. However, after the election tht Minister would be hung up in the same way. (Laughter.) The Minister for Public Works should carry out his promise, notwithstanding (he fact that another Minister was standing for the district. He (Mr. Pcaree) was present at tho meet, ing at Hnwera and had himself heard the Minister mako Iho statement. He noticed that the Minister for Agriculture was smiling, but he would not smile eo much on election dny.

Mr. Ilino expressed" regret that the Taranaki men should bo somewhat divided nbout the route. The Minister, however, should ptfck to the Stratford route. The If on. K. M'Kenrio agreed that lie had stated that it was a very 'fine bit of country and that the. railway should he one of the iirst made, but tliero were, threes or four portions of Taranaki that wanted a railway started from the main line towards Opunake. Ho had no doubt that tho railway would be made before long—when Taranaki rctntned two members who would ndvocnto Taranaki requirements in a reasonable manner and not in tho excitable manner in which they were put before the House at present. Tho Minister for Agriculture had much belter eauso to bo satisfied than any other member hailing from Taranaki at tho present time. The Iwo gentlemen who had just spoken uouli! w<. »•.. '~ the. .House to advocate the lino after tine session.