THE ORAWIA RAILWAY.

Southland Times, Issue 17469, 25 March 1915, Page 2

THE ORAWIA RAILWAY.

To the Editor. Sir,—With reference to the newspaper controversy respecting the rival routes of this railway, I noticed the letters, by "Short Circuit” and “A Voice from tho West,” In your Issue of 16tli inst. I regret that “Short Circuit" lias stooped to designate our Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. Fraser, as an ass. My knowledge of Mr Fraser as a public man, both in local and general legislation. extends over a period of many years, and I venture to say there are few men in New Zealand who are his equals in financial shrewdness and political acumen. As a diplomatist, even the late Vincent Pyko acknowledged his superiority. It appears to me that "Short Circuit” has altogether failed to grasp Hie real situation, which 1 take to bo-this: Air Fraser knows and acknowledges that tills railway is really required, but that funds are possibly not available for its construction in the meantime. He is also aware that certain other lines, such ns the line to the Ostrich Farm, and the Clyde-Cromwell lines must claim first attention. To get out of this dilemma is an easy matter to a shrewd man who knows that the Western District farmers are fair-minded and sensible men, well able to judge which should be the most convenient and profitable route to the country at large and the Western District in particular. He has simply to make Hie authorisation for the wrong end of Hie line and the trick is done. Sec'.' It must be patent to Mr Fraser that to vote an authorisation from Waikouro would he hailed with delight by Western District settlers, whereas to make it from Tuatapere would engender a storm of opposition that would surely hang up the whole matter for an indefinite period. Don't be alarmed or unnecessarily worried about it. The extension is not meant to start from Tuatapero -at all. The next election will make that quite clear.—l am, etc., VERBUM SAT SAPIENTUAt. March 22. 1915.