THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1013. THE WAIRARAPA RAILWAYS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 4 June 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1013. THE WAIRARAPA RAILWAYS.

The report of* the committee of the Wellington Chaml>er of Commerce that recently accompanied the Minister of Public Works on his tour of the backblocks of the Wairarapa is a valuable contribution to the discussion that has been proceeding in this district for years on the question of the necessity for bringing our outlying territory into closer touch with the markets. The report says that the country passed through by the committee was au "oye-oponer," the vast expanse of isolated land that aAvaits development having, apparently, not been dreamt, of by the city magnates. The delegates <rf the Chamber are emphatically of tho opinion that railways are essential to the opening-up of the backblock territory. Whether these railways should assume the form of feeder lines, as recently advocated by Pahiatua, or of a loopline, as so long urged by the settlers interested and by Waipukurau and Masterton, they are not prepared to say. The matter of route, they suggest, should be left to an independent commission, and, as this course is agreeable to all parties concerned, the Minister will doubtless fall in with the view when the proper time'arrives. In the meantime, the committee of the Wellington Chamber suggest that the Minister should pay hi s promised visit to the district with the Engineer-in-Chief at as early a date as possible, and with this suggestion we cordially concur. There should not be a* moment's unnecessary delay in arriving at a definite determination *m the question of the practicability and national importance of the railway. The proposal of the „ committee that road communication should be immediately established with the outlying districts will be"'endorsed by every person who has a knowledge of tho disabilities under whfo hsottlers are labouring. The railway is important for the conveyance of sfeook and produce to market. But the roads are an absolute necessity in the'meantime to enable tne occupiers of the land to secure their household requirements at reasonable costi We shall be disappoint*ed if, in the coding session of Parliament, a substantial grant does not appear upon ihe estimates for the completion of that section of road that connects EketaKnnS'W<l Alfredton with Pongaroa. ff&e Jflea! fcoflies interested should lose «o tfm* (a making proposals wlicS toitil {to «oo»ptajlite tOlKril fit B&W«rS «»fl (fos Qcer-

onimenfc. In regard to the deviation of the 'Rumitnka railway a the delegates from the Wellington Chamber are emphatic in tlieir demand that it shall become one of the first national undertakings. Wo need hardly say that, on this point, we are also in entire agreement. The tirade of the whole province is impeded by this gigantic, engineering blander and the sooner the Xtito recognises its responsibility and diverts the line, the better will it lie for tho Dominion. There are differences fl f opinion on tho question of route lor tho deviation, as there are on the question of the East Const railway. It seems to us, therefore, thai before any definite proposal is made in regard to the deviation, the route for the Coast railway —if such a railway is to come —must be determined. TJie one undertaking is, in fact, part and parcel of the other. What the Government should do is to set up a Commission to explore the whole East Coast country, and report upon the different routes for the deviation, so that the one project shill dovetail in with the oilier. We do not think that the Enginper-in-Chief. in a flying visit to '. ho district, could do verv much to bring either object to an early fruition. The Government should obtain the power, if that power is not already possessed, to set nn a Commission immediately Parliament rises, with i view to securing an elaborate report and recommendations for the session of next vear.