EAST COAST RAILWAY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 63, 11 September 1924, Page 5

EAST COAST RAILWAY

COMPLETION OF THE LINE

FULFILMENT OF A PROMISE SOUGHT.

A large deputation representing the commercial and local interests in Wairoa, Gisborne, and Hawkes Bay districts waited on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works this morning with an appeal that the Government should speed up the construction of the -Wairoa-Gisborne-Napier railway, in accordance with promises said to have been made previously.

The member for Gisborne (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) said that it was definitely proraised that after the Otira tunnel, the North Auckland railway, and another ■North Island construction work were attended to the Napier-Gisborne-Wairoa railway would lie considered the next important work. Mr. Massey. " When was that said?" Mr. Lysnar replied that it was said prior to the last election, and had 'been repeated- since in the Railways Statement. ■ ".'•■

It: was pointed out that the deputation did not wish to discuss the route, liut only the principle of the work being commenced. Appreciation was expressed by the roading connection that. had; been established, and it was now felt that Gisborne and' Wairoa and Napier1 districts should be linked up by rail. The deputation'asked that the Government should lay down a policy'indicating what it was proposed to do to finish the line. . The district concerned had .been contributing towards the upkeep of the railways for many years, and the people considered it'was time some money was spent upon the completion of the line. As things were at present, the districts affected were not directly in touch with markets, and the completion of the line would greatly facilitate the transport of their produce. Ihe tourist attractions, and the possi-

bilities of a large traffic in that, connection, were also alluded to. . The Minister of Railways (the Hon. J. G. Coates) said tho request was quite a reasonable one, but it was a question of finance. Hs was pleased that the route question had been submerged. A number of surveys had been made, and these had enabled the cost to be considered. 'To finish Xbe line to Wairpa .would take six years; and would cost £250,000 per year. The Department was anxious tc- draw up •■a. programme of railway development, and he hoped to present that 1 in his Statement this'session. He

would not say that other works should :ake precedence, but he believed that in the interests of the Dominion some otherincompleted lines should be finished first. The work from the Napier end hadbeen speeded up, and he hoped to again allocate an increased expenditure upon that work this year. The ■time would tome when they would be able to make > better progress. Difficult country was being worked just now, but good progress was. being made. . The. present programme of railway works was largely m preparation for what >vould.have tobe done in the future. ,

The Prime Minister said he recognised the importance of tihe district from the producing point of view. Promises had been made for the commencement of several developmental lines, and all the works promised had been commenced, but, some were more urgent than others. The Government was of opinion that development in the East' Coast district -would- pay, and that it must be gone on with. IJltimately the" line would connect up. with the line to Auckland. He had faith in the Contract system, aud believed it would result in die work being finished sooner than otherwise. Mr. Massey referred to the financial difficulty, and said it would be unwise to attempt to rush the London market for too much money. ; However, the Government" would have to do'the best it could with the money at its disposal, and the various lines would be completed in order of importance to Mie country as a whole. •■ .