ROAD OR RAILWAY?

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 125, 23 November 1923, Page 4

ROAD OR RAILWAY?

OPENING NEW COUNTRY

MR. COATES ON MOTOR COMPETITION.

Speaking at a luncheon tendered to him by the Mayor and Borough' Council of Hastings, the Minister of Public Works and Railways, said: "Since bouquets are the order of the day, I accept them, but mildly suggest that they might more aptly be applied to the Mayor. I am only a beginner, and have been greatly helped by having the co-operation of all associated with me, including your member, Mr. M'Kay." Mr. M'Villy and he were moving through the country in order to find out what was needed in the way of improvements in the railway service." Mr. M'Villy had, he knew, travelled & every inch of railway in New Zealand, but he had not had an opportunity of seeing the country not yet opened up. They were now going to see this country, visualise its possibilities, and ascertain whether road or railway would be the best method of opening it. It \was only within the last few years that motor traffic had come into competition with the railway 6. He was not one to make a hard and fast rule that motor traffic should be turned off the roads to make business for the railways; it was a question for the community to decide which would give the best service. The developmental side of the railway service was most important. Parliament only asked that the railways should pay 5J per cent., and this they should be able to do. who wished to question this should take the working, not on the worst year the Department had had, but over a period of years. He wished to state that the Railway Department was out for business. In the

matter of improvements the method they were going.to work on was to draw up a list of the necessary works and give an idea of when they would be undertaken. The Hastings station was on this list. But it ■ must be remembered thai the man struggling in the backblocks, opening up new country, must come first. In conclusion, the Ministor returned thanks for his reception and enteretinment by the Mayor, councillors, and people of Hastings.