THE AUCKLAND END.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14210, 5 November 1909, Page 4

THE AUCKLAND END.

For some reason, the cause of which presumably lies in the mysterious action and inter-action of what is vaguely termed " political influence," the Government has a constitutional and habitual objection to constructing any connecting line from the Auckland end*. The East Coast connection and the Stratford connection are both being worked at from the southern end, but to every attempt to secure the rectification of this obvious injustice the Government returns a stubborn refusal. Our Auckland members, who ought

to form a united grpup when legitimate local interests . are involved, appear to be lamentably indifferent, and we can only assume that we see the fruit of their indifference in this neglect of any railway construction from the Auckland end. The '< Tauranga Railway League, which: covers a. district whose residents await with impatience that connection with the Auckland railway system which would open the profitable markets of the goldfields to their -produce, has entered a vigorous protest against the refusal of the Government to push the East Coast "Kailway from the northern as well as from the southern end. This protest should receive the hearty support of our Auckland members, for the principle involved is as < important as the actual trade. Auckland is the natural commercial centre (of the North, and while not entitled to any unfair advantage, is justly entitled to a consideration which would be not less beneficial to the country districts and to the public interests. Work ought to proceed at both Ongarue and Waihi, which are recognised points for approaching railway connections. That the Y whole East Coast route question should remain in abeyance until Motu is reached from Gisborne .is a. policy for which no sound reason can be advanced unless it is that it avoids the spending of money in any other part of the interested region excepting that which the government desires to propitiate. ; Our members should insist that the northern ends of both the proposed railway connections should receive fair treatment, and that the old geographical favouritisms which 'have already caused such injury to the North should not be continued under another form in the North Island itself. -'