BRANCH RAILWAYS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18651, 21 August 1930, Page 13

BRANCH RAILWAYS.

OFFER TO SETTLERS. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, August 20. If the settlers in the different districts in which branch lines have been closed will form themselves into a vigilance committee and make an effort to increase the use of the railways, the Minister (Hon. W. A. Veitch) is prepared to consider the reopening of lines. This promise was given a deputation to-day from the iourton district, which pointed out that many larmeis vvouia sufitu through the closing of four miles of railway from Mount Somers to Springburn. The deputation pointed out that the country served required heavy top dressing, and farmers relied on the railways for the carriage of fertilisers. Mr Veitch agreed that top-dressing was a great factor in. increasing the production of the farm, but pointed out that the loss on the line was over £IOOO per annum. He knew that the closing of the line was a serious thing for the farmers, but the financial position of the railways was also a serious thing for the Government. The Minister said that the accumulated losses of the Railway Department amounted to about two million pounds. Altogether the finances were in a most unhealthy condition. Concession after concession had been granted, but the day had now come when it was imperative to call a halt. Something had to be done to strengthen the finance of the Department, otherwise a greater burden would fall on the general taxpayer. It had been a pleasing feature of his experience, the Minister said, that although very strong representations had been made to him not to close down certain branch lines, the settlers themselves realised and appreciated the problem facing the Government. In many cases the residents of the districts concerned had formed themselves into a vigilance committee, with the idea of securing sufficient business to enable their own particular line to be continued. By that method there was everything to gain. “I will keep this line open in the meantime,” Mr Veitch added. We must work together in order to bring about a more satisfactory position.”