NO MORE RAILWAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12064, 20 July 1917, Page 4

NO MORE RAILWAYS.

A CANDID MINISTER.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July If)

Several questions of general interest were discussed by Mr Massey and the Hon W. Eraser to-day in reply to a deputation of Otago members ivho Urged the vigorous prosecution of j ail way extension and afforestation, and urged State maintenance of arterial roads.

Mr Eraser said bluntly that, as regards railways the question was not whether extension should he done, but whether railways should ho built, at all during the. "war- The main difficulties -were lack of money and shortage of labour. It was more difficult to get £"2000 to-day for public works than £20,000 before Uip "war, and only 2000 men were now employed on public works instead of 10,000. Seven railways under construction were stopped last year. He said it. was futile for any members to ask for new railways while that, position prevailed. The question ol' the. upkeep of arterial loads undoubtedly was a crying need, 1/dt. it would have to be left in abeyance until after the war. What was wanted first -was a substantial reduction in the number of local bodies -which were unable to fulfil their functions. Legislation would be required reducing the number and extending the powers of the larger bodies. Mr Massey endorsed this. He said that the great increase in motor transportation necessitated improvement of main roads. As for afforestation, the (Government had already set apart in Otago 31,034 acres as timber reserves.