COMPLETING RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16795, 20 July 1920, Page 6

COMPLETING RAILWAYS.

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK. m Press AssociationWELLINGTON,-. July 19. The speedy completion of the” South Island Main Trunk railway was urged on Mr. Massey and the Minister of Public AVorks by a largo deputation representing Marlborough, Canterbury, Weilington. and Otago.

Mr. Penny, chairman of tho railway League, said they felt the lino.should receive early attention. Promise after promise had been made, but the line v-as still unfinished. Mr. Andrews, Kaikoura, recalled the fact that Mr. Massey, when in the -Opposition, was a member of one of many deputations which had urged that the line should bo completed. Air. Alitclioli, AI.P. for AVellington South, regretted the fact shown in the monthly abstract of statistics, that twothirds of tho men on public works were employed in the Auckland district. T'le line was a national railway which must be pushed ahead for the good of the country as a whole.

The Premier, in reply, said ho was of. exactly the same opinion regarding the. line as he was before the Avar. One of the effects of the wan f Avas a scarcity of labour. Before the Avar the Public Works Department had in its employ about 8000 men, and it now had about 4000. It was quite true tjiat a certain amount of work was going along on the East Coast and north of Auckland, but lie reminded the deputation that the South Island had probably 500 miles more railway than the North Island. As to the. line under discussion, it was a main lino, and ought to be constructed at the, first oppoitunity. though it Mas going, to be very difficult to put through in many places. Horrever, ;jus tico ivould bo done.