“STRATFORD EVENS POST” FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1928. A NEW REASON.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 3, 27 July 1928, Page 4

“STRATFORD EVENS POST” FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1928. A NEW REASON.

THOSE people who are advocating tho proposed railway line from Rotorua to Taupo are evidently finding some difficulty in justifying their pet scheme, and are stressing the great possibilities of afforestation on the Kaingaroa Plains. It is being stated that there are 83,000 acres of young trees there already, and the Government has in view the planting of another 17,000 acres. Much is being said about “The great timber producing possibilities Us yet faintly realised, and all being freight fodder for the new line” or words to that effect. We do not deny that the future may be most glorious, but we cannot accept the view that it justifies the expenditure of £1,000.000 for the line. Railways serve many purposes, but when there are lines awaiting completion, and other necessary ones not yet begun, it seems an extraordinary thing to put another one in, hand, with dramatic suddenness, to meet future needs, “as yet only faintly realised.” Future prospects, when the trees grow, may be good enough, but they are not likely to help a doubtful railway to pay its way now. As other papers have pointed out, when the vast expanse has been planted, and the trees 'have almost reached maturity, it will be time enough to think of a costly railway to transport timber. Timber borne across the water to the Taupo railhead has also been mentioned by people whose, enthusiasm seem s to outweigh their sense of proportion, Put they forget that while the timber industry is in something of a parlous position, and many mills situated alongside existing railways arc either working short time or are closed down altogether, it is not a good proposition to build a new line to open up fresh timber country. Many reasons have been advanced as to why ways should be constructed, but this one must take the palm for originality.