SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 278, 26 November 1919, Page 4

SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERN-

MENT.

MINISTERIAL "REPLY TO THE

RAILWAY LEAGUE.

The following letter of reply has been. received by the South Island Main Trunk Railway League from Sir W. Fraser, the Minister for Public Works, in reference to the resolution protesting against the smalbiess of the allocation for the resumption oih work on the line:—■ "Yo.ur letter of the 15th instant is to hand. Your League is entirely mistaken; that the amount' of the Estimates for a particular line is an; indication, of its importance. The lines that have larger sums provided have been under constant construction for some years,, and large gangs of men have been * employed, so provision had to be made accordingly foil twelve months' expenditure on same.! Now, the South Island Main Trunk line only requires about four months* expenditure, as it has to be restarted, and men have ,to be collected for the work. Under the present condition of the labor market* this will not be a simple matter.' I have placed a sum on the Estimates which I feel certain cannot be expended before the 31st March; if, however, this can fortunately be achieved, the lack of money will nob prevent further progress being made, as the intention of the Government! is to push this work on as rapidly; as labor is available."' '