MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18847, 9 April 1931, Page 6

MIDLAND RAILWAY.

NELSON SHOWING ANGER. CRY OF BROKEN PLEDGES. At a meeting of the Nelson Progress League the following resolution of protest was passed in respect to the removal of materials from the Midland line:—“With reference to the removal of lines from the Midland line, this league strongly protests against the removal of any plant or equipment that might delay the resumption of work on the line when funds are available. Sleepers and rails, we understand, would be required forthwith. With reference to the statement of the Minister of Public Works, we suggest that the repeated removal of the rails is unbusinesslike and wasteful. We would suggest that only the fringe of the unemployment problem has been touched this summer, and no better outlet for relief of unemployment could be found than the prosecution of this great national work. The league again requests an assurance from the Government that the work of filling j the gap now suspended will be resumed as soon as possible, and, further, the declared policy of the Government with regard to the completion of this most important trunk line remains unaltered. “In reference to the broken pledges which the Government is responsible for regarding our railway,” said Councillor J. Corder, chairman of the Waimea County Council, “we cannot say anything less but that they are broken pledges. I do not think we should let it pass by, and I wish to move the following motion: —‘That in the opinion of this council the action of the Government in calling for tenders for the removal of the rails from the Nelson section of the Midland railway is to be condemned. After a promise made by their late leader when speaking in Nelson on the occasion of his last visit about two years ago, that we should have railway connection with the southern portion of this Island in four years time, the same Government which was elected on their promise to complete the unfinished lines of the Dominion, has stopped all work on this line and is wasting public money on removal of material and plant; and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Hon. l£r Atmore and Mr G. C. Black.’ ” “A Great Shock.” The chairman said the action of tfcf Government had come as a great shock to himself and others, because the Government had pledged itself to construct and finish the main lines. That promise was made by the United Party’s leader, and also to the Murchison people by Mr Forbes. “We did not expect anything of this kind to come from a Government which has pledged itself to do this work,” con- , tinued Councillor Corder. “In the case i of Mr Coates we know he is opposed to the line. Mr Massey was more favourable, and I heard him say th 3 line would pay as a coal line. We did j not expect the party that was elected ! to carry out the construction of this j line would ultimately turn us down in the way it has. The Government has ' used the argument of financial stress. I There may be something in it; but. ?f I so, why do not the Government stop i all lines? It is manifestly unfair to j cut us out.” Councillor Manson seconded the J motion. Mr Atmore's Silence Councillor Higgins endorsed the chairman’s remarks. “One of the outstanding features which struck me most forcibly,” he continued, “is the almost absolute silence of the member for Nelson. Why has he not done more j in trying to force what we consider to be Nelson’s right—seeing that we J are practically isolated and that it is ! almost beyond doubt that if the line was completed it would be a great asset to the district—l cannot understand. It appears to me that some departments of the House have almost any quantity of money to spend, seeing what has been going on in the district. To my mind nothing can help Nelson more than the completion of the line.” The motion was put and carried.

STAFFORD STREET.