INTERVIEWING THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2841, 31 October 1883, Page 3

INTERVIEWING THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

[By Telegraph.] ArCKXAMD, Oct. 30. An interview between the Chambsr of Commerce and tho Auckland Representatives in the Houso of Representatives on the one part, and the Hon. the Premifr on tho other, took place to-day. There w.is a large attendance of members of the Chawber.and Auckland M.H.R.'s. Mr L. D. Nathan, Chairman, in opening the proceedings informed Major Atkinson that a meeting of the Committee of the Charfber hid been held that morning, at which various reaolutian) were parsed embodying their views on subjects which it was considered highly desirable to lay before him. He then submitted the first resolution — " That a deputation of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Members of the Hnu-e of Bepresentatives of the Auckland district have viewed with apprehension the delay which has taken place in tba surveys in the Morln Island main trunk line, and respectfully urge upon the Government the necessity of a vigorous prosecution of theso important lurveys." . , Mr Peacock, M.H.R., in supporting the resolution, said the matter was regarded with deep interest in Auckland, and reports of the delay in proceeding with the surveys was the ■causa of much uneisine.'s and dissatisfaction. They would be glad, therefore, to receive an assurance of the intention of the Government to -push on these surveys, so that by next session of Parliament they might be furnished. Mr Aicken pointed oat there was reason for expecting the surveys to bo pushed forward vigorously, seeing it was now a year since the vot« for them was passed. If it was neoMiary, extra surveyors should be put on 'o expedite the work. The Premier said he had very groat pleasure in assuring themthitno unnecessary delay had taken place in the matter. Thi>y might remetiiber an old saw (hit said " It is often wise to tarry a little in order to make an end tbe sooner," and this was porfectly true of Ibe matter under consideration. It was pu«hed forward with all potßib'e expedition, and he hoped that by next session it would bo snffieiently far advanced, if not quite compUted, to allow of tho route bein^ deicrmined and the work being definitely proceeded with. Tho Chairman here introduced tho second resola'icm, riz.— " That tlje Chamber of Commerce, as representing the commercial and agricultural interetls of Auckland, desire to express the decided wish of the people of Auckland that, if possible, railway communication should be direct with New Plymouth by the West Coait route." Ho taid he waa only expressing the genera! convictions of the people of this great province that any communication with the West Coast other than that which links To Awainutu and Waitara would be Bnbversive of tbe best interests of the colony. Not only was the Waitara connection very much shorter, but by all accounts of those best qualified to form an opinion o? the agricultural, pastoral, and mineral value of the coast line of country, it waß infinitely superior to a more central r >ut* that had been suggested. We bad reacl.cd tbat stage in our finincial position as a colony that he took it we could not afford to build any railway line tbat did not bid very fair indeed to be in a short while a payable concern. Tbat was one reason why the people advocated the Waitara connection. But the Government should dljo remember the great detire of the Taranaki and West Coast, people to be linked more closely to the Auckland province, and they (the Chamber) reciprocated that wi>h most heartily. Mr J. C. Firth supported the motion. He said the universal opinion in this part of the colony was that the line should pursue from Auckland as direct a route as engineering difficulties would permit to Taraniki, and that tbe point of junction should be somewhere Bear Btratford, and, further, that it should bo effected with as little delay as possible. Te Weterc, a chief of Mokau, said he knew tbe country between Waitura and Te Awainutu, having explored it With Mr Hursthous?, and he could say, therefore, thers was nothing to prevent the line running through it. The district inhabited by natives who opposed the line was distinct altogether from the route that was being favored at that meeting. It was Nj»atimaniopoto country, and there was nothing there to obstruct the construction of the line. His desire in the matter was the tame as that of the people of Auckland. He knew Wahanui also desired the railway line abould go by the route first indicated. If it were seriously proposed to be made, a feasible route could easily be found. The Premier said he fully understood th it this sec ind resolution in no way committed Aucklmd Members to a declaration of which lino should be adopted, and rightly so, for in their representative capacity a duty was imposed upon them of judging tbe respective merits of tbe various routes, and that could only be done when the data which waß now being procured was submitted to tho House next session. They not only represented their particular districts, but the colony at large as well. They should carefully consider these facts and not be swayed by conjecture upon which he understood this second resolution was largely based. Ho might say at once, as an old Taranaki settler, that the feeling there was exceedingly strong, quite as strong as it was here, for communication with Auckland. The duty of the Government was quite clear. Their inlontion was to have tho country thoroughly explored, and then to make such recommendations to the House as they considered would commend. themselves to its judgment, bearing in mind the general interests and the advantage which would be derived from the expenditure and more land Communication between the various centres of population, Mr J. M. Clark mentioued that another point in connection with the line favored by tbe Chamber was tbat it would tend to open up the King.Country. The Premier replied that the alternative route would also bave this effect, as it was made to cross Mokau at the same part. The Chairman then submitted the third reso'ulion — "Tbat it is desirable further facilities for traffic be given on the railway line betwee-i Auckland and Penroso, the one line in existed being insufficient for tbe requirements of ti.« district." lhe Premier rejlied that directions had been given to male tl^ survey of the proposed alternative line. The Premier also eaid a railway station would be ereoted as soon as the reolafation works were ljiish^d.