SIR JOSEPH WARD’S RAILWAY POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 October 1928, Page 10

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S RAILWAY POLICY

(To the Editor! Sir.—One of the greatest and pleasantest surprises of the general election 1 poliLicui.l campaign is the sane, practical policy of rapid completion of mam.trunk midways, including that of the NelsonWest Coast section of the Midland main, trunk. The economic soundness of such a policy will be apparent, to all. iWe must not forget that the future of New Zealand is bound up with the development of its farming and its mineral resources, and that in the latter aspect the Nelson province will play a leading part unequalled in Nelson, and the Dominion’s History. May we take it that the Reform candidate, Air F. VV. 0. Smith, is not satisfied with the present rate of construction, for we find him urging now “that a supreme effort lie made to secure Llio completion and linking up of our line within live, years.” But lie recommends a futile means of achieving that object if we are to get the consent and co-operation, of all the South Island members. We have had enough wastage of time and effort in that direction, and must now tight our own good tight and push our claims on its own merits. The practical proposition put forward by Sir Joseph Ward would obviate all need for such a course as ,Alr Smith suggests, for we should be. assured of completion of our railway well within live years. So that unless Mr Smith can get some definite assurance from the Prime Minister that our gap is to he speedily filled if he is returned to power, then Nelson and Motueka should go eyes out to elect supporters of Sir Joseph Ward, and should see that they give very definite assurances that they will push this matter to a successful issue in the event of the return of the Ward party to power—an eventuality that is quite within the realms of possibility.—l am, etc., FOR MEASURES BEFORE MEN. Nelson, 25tii October.