STRATFORD MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

Evening Star, Issue 21254, 8 November 1932, Page 1

STRATFORD MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

CELEBRATING COMPLETION HEW PLATEAU ROAD OPENED FUNCTIONS OF CONGRATULATION [Per United Press Association.] STRATFORD, November 7. The new Stratford Plateau road (Egmout National Park), which had been constructed to a height of 4,000 ft above sea level, was officially opened by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon R. Masters) to-day. The Ministerial party and others attending the opening of the Stratford-Main Trunk railway lino wore conveyed by oars to the point where the road ends, and after spending some fifteen minutes there in admiration of the view across the Taranaki dairying land they returned to the Stratford Mountain House, where a number of speeches wore made.

In celebration of the completion of the Stratford-Main Trunk railway lino a banquet was bold at Stratford tonight, and was attended by Dir Forbes, Mr Coates, Mr Masters, Mr Hamilton, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland), and a number of other members of Parliament, as well as representatives of local bodies, chambers of commence, manufacturers’ associations, and other organisations. About 300 guests were present at the banquet, and the speeches, which were characterised by expressions of congratulation to the district and of optimism as to the future prosperity of the dominion, were very well received. The toast of “ Parliament ” was proposed by Mr' L. M. Moss, president of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, who said tViat there were to-day many prophets of woe. There had been prophets of woe in the past, and they' had been wrong. So also would bo proved wrong the prophets of woe of to-day. Mr Forbes and Mr Holland replied to the toast. The Prime Minister said that with all its faults Parliament was still the best institution that had been discovered for the government of the people. Ho spoke of the criticism of the Government, from both inside and outside the House, and, referring to Mr Holland, he remarked: “ He hits and hits hard, but ho never hits below the bolt.’’

Dealing with the country’s finances, Mr Forbes said that'history I*.a-J- Lpqr, made up of a series of ups and downs. We were down at the present time, and it was the dominion’s duty to keep up production and strive to regain the up grade. Britain’s example had been an inspiration to New Zealand and the other dominions, and we had to do our best to follow that example. There was a task of considerable magnitude confronting the Government and the people. Wo could well be proud of New Zealand’s record in the past, and ho was confident we would again come through successfully. The character of the British people was always displayed at its best when attacked by adversity. Referring to the conversion loans, Mr Forbes said that the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. D. Stewart) had no doubt gone into that question when he was in London, and the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Now Zealand Government would be treated with the characteristic generosity of the British’investor when the loans fell due. Evervone would await Dir Stewart’s return’with the greatest interest. Mr Stewart had also gone into the question of local bodv loans while in London, and had advised that there would be an casing of the burden when the present embargo on conversion was lifted. The Local Government Loans Board had suggested the necessity for legislation dealing with the matter, but Cabinet had not yet considered it.

A CRITICAL NOTE Mr Holland referred to the uneconomic method of construction of railways. Stratford had been commenced thirty years ago, and if it had been completed straight away the cost would have been very considerably less than it had proved to ho. The Wcstport-Jnangahua line was another case in point. It was commenced in 1900, and was not finished vet. Ho bespoke the support of the Stratford people for the completion ot the line in his electorate. Referring to the conduct of Parliament, Mr Holland said that nobody hit below the bolt. Anyone endeavouring to do so would immediately find himself up against the strictest referee in New Zealand. “You get just as good a Parliament as you deserve, ' Mr Holland declared. “ Parliament is elected bv the mass, and reflects the standards of the mass. Parliament can never rise higher than the standards set by the people in the mass. That is universally true ’’ Mr Holland said that the conduct of the New Zealand Parliament was of the highest standard, and the dominion could congratulate itself that its Speaker was the finest in any Parliament in the world. Concluding. Mr Holland said that any system of currency relorm must be accompanied by industrial rehabilitation Replying to the toast of “ The Public Works Department,’' Mr Coates said the cost of the Stratford line had been very high, having averaged about £»),- 000 per mile. Continuing. Mr Coates, said that the Public Works Department’s activities had been reduced to the extent of 40 per cent., and would have to be reduced more than that, -the Government must have the assistance ot the public in bringing about such economies. c Mr Masters replied to the toast ot “ The Industries and Commerce Department.” , . The toast of “ The lounst and Health Resorts ” was proposed by Mr T C List, chairman of the Lgmont National Park Hoard, Mr Hamilton replying. . , Among the other toasts honoured were “The Railways Department.” to which Mr Sterling replied, aml_ “ Iho Engineers,” to which Mr T'. W. nrkert replied.