THE RAILWAYS

Southland Times, Issue 22766, 17 December 1935, Page 7

THE RAILWAYS

EAST COAST LINE GOVERNMENT PLANS MR SEMPLE’S STATEMENT (Per United Press Association.) Napier, December 16. “I was in Napier a few hours after the earthquake and what has been accomplished since seems almost like a dream,” said the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, at Napier today. "I congratulate the citizens. Such people of the type are worth while. Anything I can do to help Napier will be done. I will investigate all requests thoroughly and with a sympathetic soul,” the Minister added. “If any community is deserving of consideration in the Dominion, it is Napier.” Mx- Semple said the main object of visiting Hawkes Bay was to inspect the East Coast railway right through. In reply to a deputation he said: “It is the intention of the Government to complete this line. Three and a-half million pounds have been spent already and it will be unwise to scrap that if service can be obtained for the balance required, £1,500,000. The policy of the past was suicidal and stupid.” Mx- Semple continued: “I will give you a definite assurance that any part of the line which can be used will be put in order as soon as possible. We will not build the line and let people use other methods of transport. We will not allow the railways or any other board to spike our- guns. If it attempts that, it will have to go. We are going to tell the board where it gets off. When the decks are cleared for action you will get your line.” MINISTER'S WARNING TO BOARD. “NO INTERFERENCE.” (Per United Press Association.) Hastings, December 16. “We want to give the people a better chance to fight the battle of life so 1 am striking a note of warning to the Railway Board that it will not be allowed to stop us,” said the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, in replying this morning io a deputation and giving his assurance that the East Coast railway would be completed. “The engineers have beexr cramped and stultified by a board which knows little or nothing of the position,” was another remark of the Minister. “We’re going to tell the board where they get off and not get on again,” he added. “There are difficulties in the way, of course,” Mr Senxple said, “fox- the Government delegated its powers to the Railway Board and the board has demonstrated its hostility to this line. No doubt it will stick its toes in and refuse to go ahead with the job, but we are not going to delegate oux- powers to any board. . When we make up ouxminds we have got a job to do and a job which we know the people want, we are going to do it. We will not allow any board set up by the previous Government to spike oux- guns. If it does that, the board will have to get out of the way and get out with short notice, too. That’s all. We are not in the job for our health, but fox- the purpose of improving things for the people.” ___________