EAST COAST RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20304, 11 July 1929, Page 12

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

TANEATUA-OPOTIK! SECTION.

EARLY CONSTRUCTION URGED BUSINESS MEN'S DISCUSSION. THE POKENO-PAEROA LINK. The necessity for the construction of the Taneatua-Opotiki section of the East (.'oast main trunk railway was emphasised by several delegates at tho first conference of chambers of conimerco in tho Auckland Province, which opened in Auckland yesterday. The discussion arose over a remit, presented by Mr. \V. J. Scott, of the Opotiki Chamber, stating that, although tho Paeroa-Pokeno deviation was a necessary adjunct, tho completion of tho line to Opotiki was of the first importance, being calculated to develop tho earning power to its fullest capacity. Tho soundest economic policy would bo to construct both lines simultaneously in order that the traffic might travel by the shortest route to tho principal market.

"This extension will be definitely a paying proposition," Mr. Scott said. "Although it is said that the East Coast railway is not yet paying interest and sinking fund experts have been surprised to set; how well it is doing. I will make tho statement that if tho right methods were employed by tho Railway Department the line would be paying well." "Fault of the Department."

Mr. Scott said that ho knew a man who bought a number of sheep at Opotiki to have them railed to Hamilton. Ihe sheep had to stand in pens for 10 days waiting for trucks and the owner said that he would never again buy stock at Opotiki. This was a typical case. The Railway Department did not appear to bo making any attempt to foster traffic on the line. The business was there and it was the fault of tho department if the line was not paying. As for the Opotiki extension, it would require only 25 miles of track, but it would open up rich country, extending 100 miles beyond Opotiki. Surveys had been made and tho Government plans for tho work were complete.

Support for tho proposal was voiced by Mr. A. A. Ross (Auckland), who said that land in the Opotiki district was as rich as any in New Zealand. There w/is no reason why tho line should not be a success.

"it is a bad thing to mention two proposals in the one suggestion," said Mr. H. Cliffe (Eden). "I think that wo should press for tho Paeroa-Pokeno deviation. We want the continuity of one direct line."

Mr. T. C. Webster (Auckland) : The connection right through to Gisbornc is what wo want. Wo should press for tho completion of both sections Produce Sent by Boat.

Mr. G. Sweetman (Te Puke) said that some people in tho district were not supporting the railways sufficiently. Tho Rangitaiki Dairy Company, for instance, had made arrangements to send its produce to Auckland by boat. Tho farming community received great concessions from the railways and should show its gratitudo in a practical manner. A note of caution was sounded by Mr. F. A. Ifellaby (Auckland). "Tho Auckland Chamber of Commerce lias contested very strongly tho action of the Government in joining gaps in tho railway systems in other parts of New Zealand," he said. "It is no good building railways unless they arc assured paying propositions, and in these days o! road transport very few of them are in this position. We would bo inconsistent if we supported this scheme without first satisfying ourselves as to its economic soundness. It is possible that the district mid it bo served better by road than by rail." "A report that tho route is satisfactory and one that is urgently required has already been sent to the Government by the Railway Department," said Mr. R. C. Robbins (Tauranga). ''The completion of tho Taneatua-Opotiki section lias even been authorised by Parliament. Before the lino was put through to Tancatua we were told that it would not pay the cost of axle-grease, but it lias been an oyeopener to the entire Dominion." Motion to be Drafted. "If any section in New Zealand has justified its construction —I need hardly refer to the South Island railways, which havo never shown a profit—it is that from Waihi' to Taneatua," Mr. Robbins continued. "During the first five months after its opening the outward freights were £33,288, and the inward freights £22,629. We want the Paeroa-Pokeno section as much as anyone, but at present wo have a means of getting out. If the Opotiki section is put through first the increase in traffic which is bound to occur will automatically push on tho Pokcno deviation. Wo have a perfect right in impressing on tho Government flic importanco of constructing this line." Mr. Scott said that the investigations made by officers of tho Railway Department had been verv complete, and they had been satisfied that tho line should be constructed. lfe did not wish to make anv alterations to his motion.

After further discussion the chairman, Mr. H. T. Mcrrilt, suggested that as there appeared to be sorno difference of opinion as to the exact wording of (ho motion, Mr. Scott, Mr. Itobbins and himself should frame a motion to bo placed before the meeting later. Tt was decided to adopt this conrso and discussion on the matter will be resumed this afternoon.