LOYALTY EXPECTED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 10

LOYALTY EXPECTED

People Who Want New Railway Lines

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY

No Sweating or Cut-throat Competition

MR. SEMPLE AND BOARD Sy Telegraph—Press Association. Nelson, January 13. Replying to a Murchison deputation to-day regarding the completion of the Midland line, the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, pointed out that the Government was not responsible for the promises of previous Governments, nor for the sins of past Governments. He expected the Govern ment would, in time, have enough of its own sins to account for. At the present time the question of getting.back control of the railways by the Government instead of by the board- was being gone into. The Government would undertake the responsibility for public expenditure, and would not delegate that responsibility to anyone else. In regard to the Midland line, the Minister said there would be a full investigation into the possibility of completing the full line, and of partially completing it as far as Murchison. The investigations would be broken into two parts for that purpose. When the Gov crnment completed any line it would expect that the people would give 100 per cent, loyalty to the railway. The Government would not interfere with individual rights, but if the l>eople asked for a line for access, and the work was done, the Government would expect them to give support to it instead of to throat-cutting competition. The Government built roads on rail routes and then ihotor transport commenced competition—in cases unfair through the wages paid to some drivers being a disgrace. Sweating and cut throat competition would not be tolerated. It was the desire of the Government to give the people the best transport and road facilities, so that they could get their produce to the markets. A good reading system was one of the best assets a nation could have. Board Not to do Government’s Thinking. The Minister then outlined the expense incurred on the Gisborne line, which had not been completed. Before the Government spent money on a line it would investigate it first to see if it was justified, and then go ahead and not get it partly done and leave it to rot. The matter would be considered from the developmental aspect If in consideration with the Midland line, it was considered justified, the Government would go ahead, but if it was de cided not to complete it, then the people would be told why.

The Government would not ask the Railway Board to do its thinking. The people had elected the Government to do its own thinking without consulting any boards. If it was decided to complete the work, then a convenient timetable would be arranged so that the people could use it- Any excuses for not using it would he removed before it was opened.