BRANCH RAILWAYS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14057, 15 November 1909, Page 3

BRANCH RAILWAYS.

THE GUARANTEE SYSTEM. A deputation representing seven North Island counties, square xiuies, and a population of 20,000, wmusl on the iMimster of Railways ono uay last wees to ass tor a ''"""'"J ironi Atasterton to \\ aipukurau. Ine assured the deputation that ho recognised and syniputiiiseu witn ttie ditnculties of the baek-bloei» settlers, 'ine railway they proposes, would be about seventy miles long, but there were three or four main lines ot railway winch had to bo completed before any smaller ones could be taken in hand. As to the suggeaLion that the line should be constructed on tiie guarantee ot the settlers, He admitted that it should be carefully considered. The raising of the necessary money would be the onty hindrance. There was no doubt at all about railways being required, ana there was also no doubt as to the line in question being made profitable. At present jthe Government, in regard tc railway expenditure, was restricted by the amount that .Parliament voted, £1,000,000 a year. He believed thai there was plenty of room for railways extension in New Zealand, but, speaking generally, he deprecated expenditure upon surveys of lines where there was no early prospect of construction being carried out. If- Parliament authorised the Government to proceed with a policy of railway construction on Jocal guarantees, they would have to consider the whole question of how the money should be raised. The construction of branch litfes would have to be gone into also. At present the whole question was being considered by the Government. Legislation would be required before railways could be constructed on the guarantee basis. He supposed they could spent a few millions of money on railways if 3 per cent, was guaranteed. He could not state whether any legislation on this point was likely to bo brought down tin's session.- Personally, ho was in favour of constructing light railways, to be strengthened as necessity arose, but the Government had not come to a decision on the matter. He was of opinion thai it would be better to make two miles of railway at £5,000 a mile than one mile at £IO,OOO to meet present requirements. In his own mind he was convinced that the country would have to go in for railways of a limited standard, or else the people would have to wait longer for them.