MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 25 October 1919, Page 5

MAIN TRUNK LINE.

THE £15,000 VOTE.!

"MISERABLY INADEQUATE."

RESOLUTION OF PROTEST.

The "Advance Marlborough" Committee of the Chamber of Commerce met this morning to consider what action should be taken in regard to the vote of £15,000 allotted by ,the Minister for Public Works in his Estimates to the South Island Main Trunk Line.

The utter inadequacy of the vote was condemned, and the opinion was expressed that the Minister had < displayed a lamentable lack of business acumen iii reverting to the pernicious "doles" system which has characterised the railway construction policy of the Department for many 'years, to the detriment of the country. It was held that at least £100,000 should be spent straightway in an up-to-date railroad-making plant with which to replace the wheelbarrows and other relics of the "wooden age." The following resolution was passed, and was subsequently telegraphed to Sir William Fraser:— "At a meeting of the committee of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce this morning it was decided /to forward an emphatic protest against the miserably inadequate amount placed 'on the Estimates for the South Island Main Trunk Railway, more especially in view of the fact that an assurance was given by yourself to the deputation which waited on you last month that a substantial amount would be provided, and in view also of Mr Massey's statement that no other policy than a vigorous policy of development could be entertained by the liovernment. In our opinion a vote of £15,000' is worse than useless,' as it would require a, far greater amount to restore the neglected parts of ■ the line : and to get suitable machinery on to • the ground. We are asking all . local bodies and the i public to demand that the expenditure on this- main : trunk' line be in 'keeping with its national importance." It was decided to send copies of the resolution to the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, and Messrs It. McCallum and G. W. Forbes.