RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1928, Page 4

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. a PRELIMINARY WORK-ORDERED. 0 STATEMENT BY PRIME! MINISTER a (Per Press Association. —Copyright.) “ WELLINGTON, This Day. In an interview this morning, Sir 3 Joseph Ward said the Public Works . Department had been instructed to ar- . range for additional numbers of men . to be put on the railways previously s announced as part of the general i policy of the Government, and to make arrangements to push on with the construction of the' Auckland-Taranaki railway, the Gisborne-Napier railway, the Inangahua-Westport railway, and the Midland railway to Nelson. Officers of the department had been advised to put matters in motion to get ready-for-going right-on with these works. Definite instructions had also been given that surveyors were to be engaged without delay to put in hand the surveying of the South Island trunk railway, and it was to be done as expeditiously as possible. Sir Joseph Ward mentioned that there had always been croakers in regard to various railway projects, including the North Island Main Trunk, and he emphasised that the Government would not be deterred in its projects by such statements now. With regard to the Gisborne-Napier railway, some question had been raised as to the route. Naturally those raising questions were entitled to consideration. There was a difference of £600;000 between the routes, and official representatives were quite clear that the shorter route, which would save £600,000, -would meet the whole requirements. Before definitely deciding the matter, however, a full report would be obtained. If results could be obtained by saving £600,000, the Gov- , ernment would most unhesitatingly adopt that course.