RAILWAY EXTENSION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13420, 18 March 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

RAILWAY EXTENSION.

ONLY SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY

The first deputation was from the Chamber of Commerce, which brought under the notice of the Prime Minister the desirability of extending the railway from Glenhope to Murchi=;on. Mr. J. H. Cock was the chief spokesman. He said that Mr. Massey was acquainted with the desires of all districts to have their railways extended, but in Nelson they felt much chagrined that the extension of the line from Glenhopo had. been held in abeyance. This feeling was accentuated because the present Government had not abandoned railway extension in other parts. Ho assumed that the stoppage was only temporary, and might have been suspended only until the financial position had been ascertained. The late Government had extended ;the line into an area which had become more productive since the extension, and which was likely to become further productive. The usefulness of the railway would increase by extension. The Lands Department was offering very soon large areas adjacent to the present line, and . in adjoining country, which would be served by the raliway, and tli© areas would be readily taken up if they had the inducement of the railway to offer. At present Murchison was the objective of the present railway line, and if it was extended to there it would serve a great radiation of settlement. The difficulties of reaching Murchison were not insuperable, and he urged the Prime Minister to resume what was essentially the trunk railway of the South Island, adding that he thought the extension would be sound business.

■Mr. T. A. H. Feild, in supporting the request, first of all congratulated the Prime Minister on his accesison to office, and said that although the Government had not accomplished all. they had . promised to do, they felt that they had carried out some reforms. (Appluase.) The railway was a very important matter, to the district. It was part of the arterial railway of the South Island, and its extension was not only in the interests of Nelson, but in the interests of the Dominion as a whole. They knew that there had been a scarcity of money, and they knew that it had not been possible for the Government to do all they wished in regard to railway etxension. Nevertheless the Government had increased the expenditure on railways, and he impressed upon the Prime Minister the necessity for extending the present line to Murchison, with the further extension to follow to connect the line with the trunk line. Mr. Field referred to the fertility and productiveness of the district, and said that from the road it was impossible to see the many fertile valleys and the great extent of country that would be opened up. Mr. F. W. Fairey said that he felt sure the Prime Minister's visit would show him the possibilities of the district. He claimed that Nelson was more productive and prosperous than any other district in New Zealand of the same ai-ea and population. , :> Mft Fairey said that every year between £0000 or £8000 was sent to ,th^lfbMh Island to purchase stock, anajMi^he raliway was extended to Murcm^n there was the land and the settlors there to grow the stock for Nelson.