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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 83, 14 May 1914, Page 6

Practically since the hour lie set foot in Christchurch the Minister of Railways has been waylaid by importuning deputations which had certain propositions to put to the Minister, and to many of which Mr Herries could only reply that their representations would be looked into. However, as we pointed out yesterday, Canterbury and Christchurch have cause to be grateful for the Ministerial response to the request that the railway facilities as between the city ami the port should be extended and placed on a more satisfactory basis. Mr Herries explained to the big deputation that waited on him yesterday that a considerable sum of money would be required in order to carry' our works at LytteltojL and Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Invercargill, and Timaru—Dunedin has the expensive station buildings which have roused the' envy of the less favoured, but more important, centres* The. ,Minister has had ■ a somewhat anxious time in the past placating the capital

city, whose demand for a reorganisation of the Wellington terminus on a scale calculated to meet future requirements, has come to be recognised as both, reasonable and urgent. It would be: hard to imagine a less up-to-date and a more archaic system of railway housing than exists at the Lambton station. A central structure capable of receiving and despatching all traffic without congestion is sadly needed, and if the new station can be made more approximate to the ferry wharf, so much the better. The political enemy will surely not fail to upbraid the Government for its borrowing proclivities, but dispassionate observers will see that no other alternative exists. Modern railway facilities have to come, and why, not in the immediate future, when, if it is not '' shocked'' in the meantime, the j London market will be in an eminently favourable condition? The amount j required to carry out the projects mentioned by the Minister, plus the added expense which mitst inevitably be necessary for certain readjustments in the sj'stem itself —the report of the General Manager in this .connec- ; tion is expected to be tabled next session—will mean a considerable addition to our indebtedness, but it is a rehabilitation that is rendered imperative by the steady development of the country. The experience of Mr Hiley should go a long way towards ensuring a satisfactory return for the expenditure which will be involved.