Manawatu Evening Standard. CIRCULATION 4000 DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1914. RAILWAY MATTERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9740, 5 March 1914, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. CIRCULATION 4000 DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1914. RAILWAY MATTERS.

A number of important matters were brought before the Minister for Railways last night by local deputations. First and foremost was the proposed fencing of the railway line in Main street. The Minister was put in an awkward position by the fact that arguments were put before him supporting and objecting to the fencing. As ' be pointed out, he could scarcely be expected to choose between the two sides, and Mr Herries may be commended tor his suggestion that some unanimity should be obtained by discussion at a public meeting or otherwise before he is asked to make a final decision. If a public meeting is held we have not the slightest doubt that, if it is laigely attended, an overwhelming body of public opinion will make itself heard in favour of carrying out a work that will unquestionably add to the public safety. Judged upon the arguments used last night, the objections to this course are neither apparent nor real. The public have no right to cross the line except at the crossings, and are, in fact, trespassing when they do so. There is very little in the other arguments of those opposed to the enclosure of the line, when the risk to life incurred daily under present conditions is remembered. It is foolish to say, as one speaker did last night, that more children are to be found playing inside the portion ot the line already fenced at Terrace End than anywhere else. Such a state-: ment is a palpable absurdity. There can be no doubt that the great majority of the people of Palmerston feel very strongly on this question, and are convinced that the fencing of the j railway line in Main street is absolute-' ly necessary in the interests of the public safety. We trust that when the time comes they will give expression to their conviction in such a way that will impress the Minister with their earnestness. Mr Herries states that the Government is perfectly willing to do the work when satisfied that it ijs the 1 wish of the town as a whole th;i.t it j should be proceeded with, and for this ' change from the attitude of previous ' Ministers he deserves the thanks of the ! citizen*. i The opportunity was seized to bring I j a number of other important requests *

before the Minister for Railways, to all of which he listened sympathetically. He promised to install a system of alarm bells at the Square crossings, similar to those in operation in Auckland, and to mitigate the whistling nuisance as much as possible. A general investigation and revision is being made of the anomalies in freights and fares, and the higher rate charged upon imported coal and timber would come under review. The Minister did not hold out much hope of giving reduced rates for wool returned to inland centres for scouring, or flax similarly returned for drying. He will make enquiries into the possibility of improving the method of controlling the rolling stock (now done from Wanganui), and would even see what difficulties were in the way of removing the traffic superintendent to Palmerston, though he made it clear he promised nothing definite. Regarding the shortage of trucks, probably more acute now than over before, the Minister said the Department was making strenuous endeavours to overtake requirements, and the building programme showed a great advance on previous years. He attributed the great deficiency at present to the bountiful harvest and rush of stock and produce to markets and ports. Mr Herries met the deputations as far as possible, and the information he gave was welcomed, if only because it threw an interesting sidelight upon the diiliculties of the position he holds. i