FULLY UNITED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 June 1924, Page 8

FULLY UNITED.

TARANAKI’S VITAL RAILWAY

DEPUTATION TO WAIT ON GOVERNMENT.

A meeting; of delegates from Chambers of Commerce in Taranaki was held in the Borough Council Chambers at Hawera. last night to arrange an organisation for appointing a representative delegation to wait on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works with a view to bringing about the early completion of the Taranaki-Auckland main trunk line. The following delegates were present ; Messrs. El. C. Fletcher and E. Dixon (Hawera), R. Masters, M.P., J. B. Richards, j. W. McMillan, W. P. Kirkwood, T. Aylwarcl and A. A. Thompson (.Stratford), P. Ei. Stainton, G. Fraser and W. J. Penn (New Plymouth), J. Sutherland, C. S. List (Inglewood), W. R. Johns, R. B. Lawrence (Waitara). Mr. R. Masters, M.P., said he was happy to know that the movement had met with the approval of the Chambers of Commerce generally. It was a provincial effort to bring it to fruition. The railway had not been taken a great deal of notice of lately owing to the Minister’s decision to concentrate on certain lines. Therefore the completion of the Otira and North Auckland lines had a definite bearing on their movement, as there was certain vainable tunnelling machinery now available from those lines. They had to realise that at the west end of the Stratford-Main Trunk line there was some tunnelling to be- done. They had been told that the Main Trunk line was now working up to its full capacity, and the relief which lhe Stratford-Main Trunk line would give would be appreciated. There would also be a. considerable saving in freights, which would be particularly beneficial to the dairy companies which drew large quantities of coal from the Auckland district. Coal was at present going over the Main Trunk line to Taranaki, and on the basis of the mileage' which would bo saved freights on coal would be reduced by 3s 9d per ton. At present there were about 30,000 tons of coal coming d-own into Taranaki every year. . It hail been said that finance' had been a Wactor which had been holding up the early completion of .the line, but they now had Mr. Massey’s statement concerning the last loan raised from which they could take it that, there wasf now about £4, 000,000 available for the construction of public works this year. In ponclusion, Mr. Masters urged the necessity for making the move a representative provincial one. A letter was read from the Xaponga Chamber stating that, owing to an unexpected business engagement, their delegates could not attend. The- Kaponga Chamber, however, was heartily in accord with the object of 'the meeting. Mr. J. B. Richards said it mast be recognised that it would have been impossible to get full provincial support to any proposition unless it was thoroughly sound. He referred to an influential deputation which had waited upon the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works some time ago. At that time the policy of concentration on certain lines was just being inaugurated, and Mr. Coates had then said that they in Taranaki would soon have good cause to bless Mr. Massey for that policy of concentration. At a. later date Mr. Coates had said that the time for concentration was drawing very near, but he made no definite promise. Now was'the time for action. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood reminded the meeting that the Stratford-Main Trunk railway had appeared on the Public Works Statement since 1870 — 54 years ago. They would also remember that some time ago it was a question of whether the AucklandWellington line should go through Taranaki or take the route it now occupies. It was obvious therefore that the matter was a national one as far as New Zealand was concerned. Then, with the completion of the line- it would become a payable proposition. He was sure Mr. Coates was sympathetic, but the line had been held up by a shortage of money and other difficulties. What they wanted to do was to enlist the support of members of Parliament, and he suggested that a canvass of all members of Parliament should be made. T Mr. P. E. Stainton said they in North 'Taranaki had been fully aware of the urgency and importance of the question, and he felt sure that a strong deputation would boi set up and success would be met with. The estimates would be ready soon, and they must act quickly. Mr. E. Dixon said it was not always tlitit they in were till untuiimous in a claim upon the Government, and he felt sure- that the railway was one of the most urgent ivories that the Government had to tackle. Taranaki could not fail to have their need in this direction satisfied, and he hoped that a deputation would bo in WellingLdh as soon as possible after Parliament opened. .Mr. C. S. List thought that the idea af a deputation going to Wellington as soon as possible was an excellent one.

Mr. Johns also drew attention to the fact that on this occasion all the Chambers in Taranaki were presenting a solid front. The, railway vitally affected Waitara with its freezing works, and with an. increase in the output of the works the New Plymouth harbour would also benefit. The chairman said he* had not heard one adverse opinion expressed in Hawera against the railway. The question was a national one. Mr. Stainton thought they should go outside Taranaki and get support from the King Country. A suggestion that delegates should also be obtained from the 'dairy companies and the local bodies was made by Mr. Kirkwood. Mr. Masters said he thought the meeting should iseb tip an executive committee from the Chambers of Commerce' with the chairman in New Plymouth. The executive could then organise the whole- effort for the future. Mr. Masters then moved, and Mr. Stainton seconded, that an executive be set up to arrange details, and the personnel of the delegation to journey to Wellington to interview the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Work s.—Car r ie d. The following executive was then set up: Messrs. P. E. Stainton, R. Masters, M.P., J. B. Murdoch, E. Dixon, J. Sutherland, W. R. Johns, J. B. Richards, Ck Fraser, I. J. Bridger, and A, V. Tait. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. The executive then met to arrange details. Mr. P. E. Stainton being appointed chairman and Mr. G. Fraser secretary. Each member of the executive was delegated to interview the local bodies in his particular district, and it was decided to enlist support from Waverley to Ohura, and Te Kuiti. It was also decided to- approach Mr. J. B. Murdoch and the elected Taranaki representative on the N.D.A. with a view to- enlisting the support of the dairying industry. July 20 was suggested as a probable date for the visit of the delegation to Wellington, and the next meeting of the executive was fixed for next Wednesday at Stratford.