TARANAKI-AUCKLAND LINE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 July 1924, Page 8

TARANAKI-AUCKLAND LINE.

THE RECENT DEPUTATION

A BROADENING OUTLOOK. 111 a chat with a Taranaki Herald representative, Mr Gordon Fraser, president of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, stressed one or two matters of importance in connection with the recent deputation which placed before the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) the needs of this province in relation to through rail communication with the Main Trunk line, viq Stratford. Mr Fraser acknowledged firstly the courtesy of the. Ministers and the friendly attitude they showed towards the members of the deputation. Apart from the immediate purpose of the deputation, and the possible results which may follow the visit to "Wellington, he" said there were some aspects of the organisation of the deputation which were eloquent of the growing unanimity among the different interests in the province in a desire to combine in every cause which was for the advancement of the district. The parochialism which had marked much of the effort that had been made in the past with a view to promoting the interests of diffei’ent parts of Taranaki was rapidly giving way to a wider outlook which embraced the whole province. One very striking evidence of this was seen in the fact that, although the idea of making strong representations to the Government on the question of this particular railway had originated with the Stratford Progress League, -tins body had speedily recognised the wisdom of presenting a- united representation from the, whole province on such, a vital matter, and in the end the organisation had as a fact been arranged througli the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. This showed, he said, not only that a wider vision of the possibilities of development in this province was occupying the minds of those in public positions, but that the spirit of distrust and suspicion of one community by another was now practically a thing of the past. The part played by representatives of local bodies and other organisations in South Taranaki in connection with the deputation also furnished further proof of the broadening in the general outlook of these and kindred questions affecting the province. Apart from any immediate results which may come from the visit of- the deputation to Wellington, Air Fraser said he thought it had had a wonderful benefit to Taranaki from a publicity point of view. The Wellington press representatives had shown a very keen interest in the objects of the deputation and the notices given in the local papers, as well as what was telegraphed to others papers all over the Dominion, was calculated to give this province a large place in the minds of many people in regard to the genera] scheme of development of this country. i COMMENT IX AUCKLAND.

The New Zealand Herald of Friday said: “The adoption of a new system in railway construction, embodied in the policy of the present Minister for Public Works, has made the old style deputation, urging district needs, almost obsolete. The people of Taranaki returned to the time-honoured fashion when they descended upon the Minister yesterday with a case carefully prepared to show the need for linking up the Auckland and Taranaki provinces by railway. Much can be said for the deputation. The undertaking it pressed upon the Minister’s notice is one which must lie completed before many years go by. Its position on the new programme of works which must be drawn up jn the near future is another question, to be determined only by the inost careful and impartial examination of all projects within immediate view. Jtven though no anticipatory endorsement of its urgency can he given, its mei its deserve full consideration when a decision is being reached. Haviu" this substantial basis of claim, the deputation made its plea with due regard for what is ininortant in railway building, the closing of gaps in main lines, the opening up of new land for settlement, and the provision of railways where the potential tariff promises to make them economically sound. The tone was different from that of those Laranaki people who used to say Auckland opposed this line for fear New Plymouth might take away trade at present done through the norh of Auckland There never was any foundation tor the charge; it is welcome, therefore, to find it dropned. I3v the moderate and common-sense statement it made the deputation earned the sympathetic replies it received from the Ministers addressed.