NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11162, 7 September 1899, Page 5

NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

MR. CROWTHER MAKES AN OFFER. [by telegraph.— correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. In the course of the discussion on the Loan Bill to-night, Mr. Crowther wanted "-o know definitely how much of the £300,000 which the Government proposed to set apart out of the million loan was to be devoted to the North Island Main Trunk line. The schedule, he said, did not give the information he wanted. The Cabinet had no doubt agreed as to what amount was to be set opposite each item, and why, Mr. Crowther asked, did the Premier keep that information from the House? During the last three or four years the amounts expended on the North Island Trunk line had notbeen what the people concerned had a right to expect. As regards the Northern end of the line, Mi. Crowther said he would be satisfied if the Premier would assure him that the railway would be finished to the intersection of the East Road at Kawakawa. Mr. Seddon made no reply to this proposal. Mr. Crowther again appealed to the Premier, and said that if the Government would promise to complete the line to Kawakawa in two years, ho would promise to come back and support him. (Cries of Oh.") What" he now asked for had been promised five 01 six years ago, but the promise had never been fulfilled. Mr. Seddon: " Hear, hear." Mi'. Crowther went on to say that by continuing the line to Kawakawa communication would be opened with the Taranaki district, and some very valuable country would lie rendered suitable for settlement. The Premier at once rose to his feet when Mr. Crowther had concluded his remarks, and said, " I have been asked for a straightout answer to a straight question. Mr. Crowther has almost exactly uttered my own sentiments as to the completion of the line to what is known as the point of deviation at Kawakawa. It should be completed within two years. That is my opinion. That is very reasonable, , Mr. G. Hutchison: "Ridiculous!" , Mr. Seddon: "I concur with him, and, what is more, it is our intention to do it. I have said that of all the main trunk lines the North Island Trunk should take precedence." The Premier also stated that the necessity for this line was greater than for any other trunk line, and the Government would recognise this when they went into the appropriations. Mr. Massey said Mr. Crowther, in stating that he would be satisfied if the line were carried to the point of divergence in two years showed that he was too easily pleased. If the work be pushed on in a proper and systematic manner, it should reach the Waimarino forest from the Auckland end in two years. Mr. Crowther: " Then you would have to get a million loan for it.'' Mr. Massey said he had shown the House on a previous occasion how the work could be done without adding to the liabilities of the colony, but he did not intend to go into that question again on the present occasion, Mr. Crowther had referred to the East Road, but there was another road (the Awakino), which was shorter, less costly, and could be completed much sooner. He would urge the .Government to make this road available for coach traffic during the forthcoming summer. Mr. Seddon : "Hear, hear. There will be a big vote for it." The general opinion is that Mr. Crowther's proposal was a great mistake. The eager way in which the Premier, who never misses mi opportunity of scoring a point, jumped at the suggestion was in itself enough to arouse suspicion. What Mr. Crowther asked for is generally regarded by Auckland members as absurdly inadequate. It means a paltry extension of nine miles in two years. The Premier, if left to himself would scarcely have ventured in view of the vigorous agitation which has been going on in Auckland to have laW down such a ridiculously mci,,Tu programme, but now, whenever the question crops up in the future lie is sure to say that in extending the line at the rate of four miles and a-half a year at the Northern end he is giving the people of Auckland all that one of their own representatives has asked for. Mr. Crowther was doubtless actuated by the very best intentions, but his proposal is nevertheless regarded as a lamentable error of judgment.