RAILWAY PROJECTS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 149, 28 June 1929, Page 8

RAILWAY PROJECTS

MEMBERS CUEIOUS

THE SOUTH ISLAND LINE

The decision of the Government to proceed with the construction of the gap in the South Island Main Trunk Kailway between Wharanui and Parnassus is likely to be one of the contentious subjects of discussion in the course o"f the present session. The first reference to this very debatable matter was made in the House'of Kepresentatives yesterday afternoon. Amidst a ripple of laughter, Mr. W L. Martin (Raglan) solemnly gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the differences of opinion in regard to the construction of the South Island line, Sir Joseph would consider the advisability of arranging a weekend visit to the proposed route by members of the House. The-Prime Minister: "I will promise to give the representations of the honourable gentleman the fullest consideration." (Laughter.) The .position in regard to the abandonment of the Palmerston North deviation was raised by a notice given by _ Mr. E. Semple. (Wellington i^ast). Mr. Semple is inquiring on what recommendation the late Government based its decision to have the work carried out, and whether tho owners of land in proximity to the railway expressed their intention of contributing to the cost of the work some proportion of the added value accruing to their lands. Mr. Semple is also asking what is the, recommendation on which' the present Government bases its decision to abandon- the line, and what amount has been expended on the work. Mr; A. M. Samuel (Thames) gave notice to ask the Minister of Eailways whether he would inform the House and the country whether the Government intended to complete the PaeroaPokeno Railway. Mr. Semple gave notice to ask on whose recommendation the late Government based its decision to proceed with the Eotorua-Taupo railway; what contribution to the cost had been made by those who were likely to benefit from the construction of the railway; what had led to the abandonment of the railway; and, what was the total sum that had been expended on the railway up to the time that it was abandoned Colonel T. W. M'Donald (Wairarapa) gave notice to move for a return showing: (1) The total' cost of construction of the branch railway line Petone to "Waterloo; and (2) whether any Commission or committee of inquiry was set up to ascertain whether this line would be likely to pay, and is it paying its way; and (3) the policy of the Government at the time it decided to make this line In regard to whether the line was to be continued, and, if so" to where; and (4) whether the Depart! nient caused any Proclamations to be issued over any laud intended for an extension of this railway, and other railways in the Dominion, and, if so to what extent . does the Department intend to continue those Proclamations? Colonel M'Donald is also asking for oJ^T «\T ing: (D T^ aggregate cost of all the railway workshops, including equipment, recently erected in the Dominion; and (2) the separate cost of each workshop respectively; and (3) the cost of construction, or reconWo U4 t s Zp. recently «*' the N —arket