DISSATISFACTION.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4129, 29 October 1920, Page 2

DISSATISFACTION.

PUBLIC WORKS VOTES

AUCKLAND'S GIANT SHARE

Comparisons are being made by members of Parliament between the allocations ih tlie Public Works Statement for the Aucldand Province and the rest of New Zealand. The comparison applies chiefly to votes for. railway construction. Dissatisfaction is expressed, not only by Wellington members, but by representatives from the South Island constituencies. It is pointed out on a rough calculation by one member, Mr G. Mitchell, that for railway construction this year tho sum voted for the Auckland and East • Coast provinces, in round figures, is £431,000, while tho rest of New Zealand, including the expenditure on the Midland railway, it is only £423,----600. Last year the figures for the Auckland Province was £300,000, and for the rest of New Zealand £310,----0 but the Northern allocation was over-spent by about £16,000, while only £204,000 was disbursed of the rest of New Zealand vote, of £310,----000. This, of course, meant a greater, disparity than, appeared at first, because much of the vote for the rest of New Zealand this year--was revoted from last year. - .'_■"' In a lessor degree the comparison is made by members in regard to road allocations. The plea is that such concentration in development m the North will unduly attract population up there. A meeting; of members of Parhar ment forming the Central Progress ■ League (AVellington province) was held this morning at the Parliament Buildings, when these matters were discussed, and at which it was • decided to make representations to the Government. It -is contended, amongst other things, that preliminary steps should at least be taken with the Paekakariki and the Rimutaka deviations, because if these things remain as they are with these two main entrances to AVellington and exits therefrom, a- .very severe handicap is imposed; on AYellington and the districts supplied from the city. ' • ' ' Mr J. P. Luke, M.P., also protests at the absence, of any intention, or the absence of any expression of such' intention, in the Public Works Statement to proceed, with the new AVellington railway station. Statements, said Mr Luke', had been made as to the necessity, before anything can be done, of having further reclamation carried out, but he contends Unit preliminary work can be carried out — the preparation of plans, surveys, estimates, etc. —and tho earlier stages of the actual construction. The Government, lie states, should show the earnestness of its intention in this matter. It is understood that further meetings of the AVellington members are to be held.