SOUTH ISLAND MAIN LINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14279, 30 July 1908, Page 5

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN LINE

DISCUSSION AT THE YARMERS' UNION. (From Our o\vh Correspondent.) July 29. 10-day mi altci. ..I was made by the North Canterbury I'arniers' Union to get from tho Conference o£ the Now Zealand I'armors' Union, now in session at Wellington, an expression of opinion in favour of tiro South Island Mak Trunk railway. The matter (says tho Post) came up in the form of a motion proposed by Mr K. Evans, of Kaiapoi, at the instance of the local Farmers' Union, in tho following terms :-'• That this oanforeneo of New Zealand Farmers' Unions would ask tho union to support all other organisations in urging the completion of the South Island main line of railway." Mr Evans, said thai tho South Island Main trunk lino wis a. work that was of Buprcmo importance to the whole of Now Zealand, and in this view ho was supported by Mr Tum.ieiiffe, of Wai-iti, Nelson, bus the motion met with condemnation from Mr M'Qucen, Southland, who stigmatised its as an attempt to involve the conferc-wo in " log-rolling." It was, lie added, purely a matter lor tho .provincial union. Mr Richards (Levin) supported Mr M'tjuccii. It wbs, ho said, the case that every district had its pot local railway, and none had wore eUim than, another to support from the conference. Messrs M'Laren (Nelson), and Darcy bhaytor (Spring Creel;) supported the pieposal, and Air Cliayior inado the point that when Flaxbourao was cut up by tlib Government a proinfeo liatl been given that the line would bo extended there almost immediately; yet, after four years, not an extra mile had been owsfcraotcd towards it. Mr Middloton (Waimaihaka. Southland) asked the delegate to consider wliat tlie motion meant. If the conferenco passed it it would be afgrirrißU the supremacy of tho need (or this pinioular line. Mr Clothier (Hawardcn, North' Cantorbury) said that this lino wag undoubtedly the most important line, and ho .hoped that these delegates who bad received support from the South island in respect of tho North Island Main Trunk lino would now recognise tho merits of the south and its equal needs. Mr Flanaghan said that even after tho North Island Main Trunk line was finished [hero would be 750 miles nwjro of raihvav in the South Island than there were in the north. Ho did not see what tho claim of the South Island' to preference rested upon. Iu replying to tho ai'Buments, Mr Evans expressed regret that a Poverty Bay remit had boon withdrawn. Poverty Bay was certainly in need oi the line, and so was tho South Island to its main trunk, but. ho warned tho conference not to " hearken to M'Qtieen," who canrc from a district whoro there was a railway in every.valley one could bo run into. It was impossible to climb ,a telegraph polo anywhere throughout the district without seeing a railway line. Tho only exception was wbon tho valleys happened to bo covered with 20ft of snow. Tho South Island Main Trunk railway was a lino of national importance. On a division the motion was lost by 11 votes to 8. Four of the official members of the conference, abstained from' voting.