THE RAILWAY WAR

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 4538, 23 May 1913, Page 5

THE RAILWAY WAR

LOOP-LINERS AT PONGAROA,

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

HON. AV. ERASER’S REPLY.

CfUT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER VISIT PROMISED.

(By Telegraph—Own Reporter.) ' Pongaroa, Last Night. The loop-line agitators were much in evidence at Pongaroa this evening, when a large deputation waited on the Hon. VV. Eraser, Alinister for Public Works. Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P. for Alasterton, introduced the various representatives of the Alaster-ton-Waipukurau Railway League. Mr McDonald, the first speaker, said that ds along the route was some of i v .;7*dst in the Dominion, and was suitable for close settlement. The steepest grade was one in fifty. The district was capable of carrying a big population. The dairying industry was hampered and the value of fat lambs and stock generally was greatly depreciated in consequence ot the want of easier access to the market.

Air A. C. Herbert referred to the depreciation of stock, especially fat lambs, in being Taken to the nearest freezing works. Air R. J. Barton hoped that the Minus-tier would be able to go through to Tinui. The land was all of firstclass quality. Being informed that the district was the finest undeveloped country in the Dominion lie thought the Minister would be of the same

opinion when he saw the eeountry. He hoped that the Government would send a capable man over the route. II the line came through the district it might save the cost of a ‘■hipping port at Akitio. Certainly the line would provide better and cheapei facilities. , , Air R. C. Riverton said the district was practically at a stand-still. they were unable to develop the dairying industry owing to bad roads and the want of a central railway. The land was very suitable for close settlement. I Mr j! Mclntyre expressed regret i that the MinL-ter was not able to g° over the whole of the route. All tn® settlers along the line were members of the League. He admitted, however that not. the whole of the countrv was suitable for dairying. .*-.ie district simply wanted developing. He hoped that the Government would look into the matter. They wanted a . line in such a place as to suit as much country as possible. kverycountry w anted its own railway. Unit nad a- It were a triple alliance against them. (Laughter.) The neare-t outlet to the port would be served be tne proposed lailway. He hoped that the Mmieter would not allow the project to suffer through the scrambles toi termini and local differences which bad damaged their cause very considerably. (Hear, hear). If the Government could not finance the scheme he asked that legislation be introduced to allow the settlers to con- i struct lines themselves. (Applause). Iteplying to Mr Sykes, Mr tlouibrooke'stated that the stock buyers n«m made due allow ance on all sheep purchased. Mr Mabin. president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, said he was pleased to hear of a scheme of railways. Wellington was very keenly interested in the matter. He telt ihat the distriit had been left in the ooh]. He was 'lire the settlers deserved a good deal for opening up the country under great difficulties. While'not committing himself to any scheme he felt it was time that, tho settlers should have som© better means of getting their produce to the market. (Applause.) Mr C. E. Daniel!, president of the Mastertem Chamber of Commerce, referred to the early history of the scheme. The proposed railway, he said. was capable of earning more than many of the present railways. The project was worthy of the wnoeresrc interest and bn-iness accumen. Th»- settlers had not a heartier friend than Mr Fraser (applause). Replying. Mr Frasaer said his earnest desire "was to help people endeavouring to help themselves. nised that to have close settlement they must have the means of reaching the" market. He answered the settlers that it wa- their interest and not that of the various townships he had •o consider. (Applause.) Although h.- did not. say this disparagingly or the township- the prosperity of one depended on another. He recognised that, -omefhing had to be done but tiio question was: W hich had to he done? He hoped to have more knowledoe of the district during the n'Xfew" da vs. He had only gone over half tho district. He intended going over the Dannevirke-Meher end before the Si-sflion. (Applause.) When tljf FTo isf* row- ho also intended i through the country w ith the engineer in chief in order to have a thorough idea of the cost and grade, and whether the suggested route was a r/ne-tica.l one. (Applause). While not, making any oromi'e- now to put . vot" on the Estimates he honed to r>l v< t difficult problem before he lefoffice. Whether that period would he short <rr long In* honed that his visit, to the district would have practical r«*>uTts. advances to local HOI)IKS. fn reply to a request for a Jargor •.urn than could he at present advancwi •<> local bodio- by the Advances Department. that the local bodice, should l e enabler! to get the amount require*!, namely £I2,IKK) instead of £SOOO, the prose t limit, Mr Fraser said that the Government had revived ,£1.000.000 loss than their pvo-«lec<*-Hors had done from the IVist, Office Savings Rank. He thought th it before long the £SOOO limit would he lifted altogether, or would Ue made very much bigger, and that there would he plenty of money to

lend to those for whom it- was intended, namely, the local bodies engaged in tile loading of the country. The position was easier now that it was even a few months ago. Until Mr Allen, Alinister for Finance, returned from England before the end of June, however, lie would not take it upon himself to make a definite statement in regard to this matter. Mr Robertson thanked the Alinister for his courtesy., also the local Parliamentarians, the Wellington and Alasterton Chambers of Commerce, and the Press for the assistance they had given in advocating the carrying cut of the project fop the development of the East. Coast. AIANGITITI POST OFFICE.

At Alangititi Air Burch presented a petition protesting against the proposed reduction in salary paid to tho officer in charge of the Mnngatiti Post Office.