RAILWAY EXTENSION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1536, 7 August 1901, Page 60

RAILWAY EXTENSION

A MAE.IjBOE.OUGH DEPUTATION.

A NON-COMMITTAL REPLY.

A deputation representing the Marl, borough Bailway and Land League wait, ed upon the Eight Hon the Premier and the Hons Sir Joseph Ward, W. HallJones and T. Y. Duncan on the 30th ult. The Hon C. H. Mills introduced the deputation, which consisted of the following gentlemen :—Mr Goulter, president of the league; Mr B. McOallum, Mayor of Blenheim; Mr Tapp, president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association; Mr Smith, secretary to the Education Board; Messrs Chaytor, Bedwood, Eichardson and Parker, chairmen* of local bodies in the Marlborough district; and Mr Barrett, of Starborough; and Mr F. Storey, of Picton. Major Steward, Messrs Buddo, Tanner, Meredith, Laurenson, Collins, FI atm an, G. W. Bussell, G. J. Smith, TV. Parata and H. G. Ell, M.H.B.’s, were also present.

Mr Goulter said that the object of the league and the deputation was to urge the prosechtion of the Blenheim.Waipara line, and agitate for the closer settlement of the land The line was now placed in the same category as the other main trunk lines of the colony, and he would like to thank the Parliament for that mucli. It had to be said, however, that because of the land at Flaxbourne being locked up as a run the prosecution of the work of extending the line was not on a scale that made for the progress of the place. It was recognised bv- the league that there was cogency in the argument that the line could not be made while the land referred to was locked up as at pre. sfent. To obviate that the league asked that the Government would take prompt steps to acquire the estate, so that the disabilities could be removed and the line pushed through with expedition. The deputation thought the Land Purchase Board was remiss in not having closed with an offer that was once made to sell to Government the estate, referred to. The Premier had last year outlined a scheme to overcome the difficulty before mentioned by dividing with the landowner the unearned increment. The league thought this a fair proposition, and had decided to ask Ministers to introduce legislation to that end. The league's special object was to emphasise the necessity (for the colony’s advantage) that the Blen-heim-Waipara line should be speedily pushed on so as to rank with other main trunk lines as regarded length and capacity.

Mr McCallum said the league appreciated the difficulty of Ministers in dealing with the railway by reason of big estates being so situated that to these would accrue a big unearned increment. To deal with the matter thoroughly it would be best for the Government to acquire the Flaxbourne Estate. That was as essential to the progress of Marlborough as the acquisition of the Cheviot Estate had been to North Canterbury. The Flaxbourne Estate was, as the Premier had once said, a block to tbe progress southward oi the Blenheim line. If the Government would boldly grapple with the difficulty the line could be pushed on and the best interests of the colony so served. The league thought the time had arrived for the (completion of all the main trunk lines of the colony. A public meeting at Blenheim had passed a resolution last year affirming the desirableness of such action. It had been estimated by Mr C. Y. O’Connor three years ago that the proposed line would yield a profit of 3.03 per cent, to the cost of construction. If that estimate was then correct it followed that in the present more prosperous state of the district a completed line would yield an increased revenue. He hoped Ministers would favourably consider the league's requests.

Mr Tapp said there was an urgent need in Marlborough for land for closer settlement. There were up-to-date freezing works 4n the Marlborough province, but in order to work these to the best advantage it was necessary that every acre of land in the province should be worked to its highest capacity. The speaker went on to point out the many advantages that would accrue to the district and to the colony as a whole by the prosecution of the line to its final stage. He laid special stress on the fact that the opening up of Flaxbourne would provide a much needed supply of land for small selectors. The Premier, in replying on behalf of himself and colleagues, told the deputation that it could not be expected that the Government could give a reply off-hand. In the first place legislation would have to be submitted to the House. To take possession of such a large estate as Flaxbourne for the purpose indicated by the deputation opened up another large question. They must consider what was to be the limit of expenditure of borrowed money. For public works already one and a half millions was required, for line improvements half a million, and a like amount for land purchases. With that expenditure to face it was just about time that the position was fairly faced. He recognised? that works must be attacked according to their importance. It was unreasonable to expect to have done in a short time work which at its proper rate of progress would take years to accomplish. It must be recognised that settlement anff opening up should go hand in hand. Nevertheless, he was bound to admit that the case which the deputation had set forth was a reasonable one. The land question would have to be solved. To ask the colony within a year to pay for unearned increment which would he the result of public money expenditure could not he for a moment thought of. It was absurd. To annaunce a large borrowing policy at the present time would be prejudicial to the colony's finance. To put people on the land, and as it progressed to push on railway construction was, he considered, the line upon which the colony should progress. He recognised that the offer of the Flaxbourne Estate which had been made to the Board was an advantageous one which should have been accepted. It should be recollected, however, that the colony only allowed a certain sum yearly for such purposes, and possibly the Board had to decline through lack of funds. In conclusion, tho Tro-

mier assured the deputation that he and his colleagues would give full consideration to the case which the deputation had stated to them.