NEW RAILWAYS.

Wairarapa Age, 15 August 1928, Page 5

NEW RAILWAYS.

WHO DECIDES CONSTRUCTION POLICY? REFORM MEMBER’S CRITICISM. (By Telegraph.—“ The Age”. Special.) WELLINGTON, August 14. Railway building policy was criticised from the Ctovernment side of the House when the Financial Debate was resumed to-day. Mr. J. R. Hamilton (Awarua) pointed out that 35 per cent, of the publid works expenditure last year was on new railways, a fact which ought to be noted, he said, in times when the whole aspect of transport ought to be seriously reconsidered. Who decided on these new lines? he asked. It seemed to him that these things were run by the heads of Departments or someone. The Prime Minister: “Nothing of the sort. That is unfair. Every session the House has an opportunity of approving the Estimates and the ’Government accepts responsibility.” Mr Hamilton: “What about the East Coast line?” The Prime Minister: “The Government accepts responsibility. ’ ’ Mr. Hamilton: “If the Government accepts responsibility for the East Coast line, the general consensus of opinion, of all who arc unbiassed- is that it will not pay. We have the extension of tho Stratford lino and many others. We are not asking for a single line in the South Island.” Mr. J. 'S. Dickson: “They do not pay now. ” The Prime Minister: “The members for ’Buller, Motueka and Hurunui are all asking for railways.” Mr. Hamilton: “Some of them have no- more chance of getting them than I have of getting the extension of the Stewart Island wharf, which was turned down. There should be some other consideration given to these things than a purely local one. This has become a national concern.” The Prime Minister: “It always has been.” Mr. Hamilton: “I think Parliament should take the thing in hand and we should get some reasonable consideration of tho limes to - be built in future.”