STOPPAGE OF TAUPO LINE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1929, Page 11

STOPPAGE OF TAUPO LINE

THE GOVERNMENT’S REASONS PREMIER CREATES SENSATION. LETTER TO MR. J. G. COATES READ. (By Wire —Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. Reciting reasons why the Government decided to discontinue work on the Taupo-Rotorua railway, the Prime Minister created a sensation in the House to-night by quoting a letter addressed to the late Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in 1927, criticising th. latter for not fulfilling a promise and for not providing for the work on the Estimates.

Sir Joseph said the decision had been made dispassionately, but he read the letter in proof of his contention that the line was a political railway. The letter was as follows:— Broadlands, Waiotapu, Auckland, ii;il October 25, 1927. “The Hon. J. Coates,. Wellington.

“Dear str. —Again, there is nothing on the Estimates for our railway. What' becomes of your promise made to our deputation at Taupo? Can one place no dependence on the promise of a Prime Minister? I may tell you that, relying on your word, I entered on a new scheme of impr> cments upon which I. have expended an additional £.3000-. All this will have to be abandoned, for it is impossible '.o carry on without means of access

“I am filled with regret that I did such an enormous amount of work in launching the Reform Party. From its inception until my leaving Auckland to come here in 1908 every meeting of the executive and general committee was held in my office, and I can truly say that had it not been for the tremendous amount of work done and the enthusiasm put in by myself and about two others there would be no Reform Party to-day. No Government could have done less for this area. However, you have achieved one thing. You have got rid of me and my persistence. lam done. It is the end of a great enthusiasm, but it is not rea 1 '- in the interest of the country that enthusiasm should be crushed.”

Yours faithfully, E. E. Vaille.