THE NORTH OF AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12989, 2 June 1904, Page 10

THE NORTH OF AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

(Pbb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 1. A, deputation from the North of Auckland Railway League waited on tho Hon. James M'Gbwan, Acting-Minister of Public Work?, ftt tho railway station to-day to bring before him the necessity of pushing on the construction of the North of Auckland railway line. In reply, the Minister said the plan of the Government hud been to carry on publio works without giving any jar to tho labour market, and they had therefore adopted a co-operative system. . He thought the league wise in not advocating a large borrowing policy. Whatever amount of money was to be allocated they wanted the greater portion to .go to the North of Auckland. • Mr Baunio: "We never said that. ■ We only ask for equality of expenditure." The. Minister said the Auokland district had .had a large sharo of tho railway ■ expenditure. As to the quality of the land, he had: seen some good land in. tho north and also much that he would not take at a gift. , Mr Bodle: "So there is on tho Otago Central." Mr M'Gowan: " But tho Otago Central will tap a very rich plain. To complete all lines to paying points would mean the borrowing of very large sums." Mr Bollard: "We don't want you to borrow largely. We only ask for a fair proportion of what is borrowed." Mr M'Gowan replied that others said the same thing: "Don't borrow, but if you do give it to us."' Tho Minister slated that lie intended to increaso tho expenditure on the North of Auckland railway for this year, and also to-increase the amount for next year.