AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS.

Grey River Argus, 19 January 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS.

CONNECTING UP THE STATES. fA. and N.Z. Cable Association.] MELBOURNE, Jan 18. The Premiers’ Conference opened with a discussion on the question of the unification of the railway gauges. The proposal is that an immediate start bo made linking up the capitals of the States, ami converting all broad gauge railways in Victoria and South Australia at. an estimated total cost of £21,600,000. The advantages that would accrue in the. way of general convenience, development of settlement, promotion of immigration, absorption of the unemployed, ami the defence standpoints, were strongly urged. Victoria and South Australia are opposed to the scheme in its present form chiefly on the ground that the early stages of the conversion would affect them more than the other States, and their railway experts consequently do not favour it. The Conference also discussed various immigration proposals. NO FINALITY REACHED. (Received January 18, 10 p.m.) MELBOURNE. January 18. The Premiers’ Conference again discussed the uniform gauge and immigration question without reaching a finality.