“SHEER SELFISHNESS"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19584, 8 June 1926, Page 6

“SHEER SELFISHNESS"

WRECKING OF STATION SITE DIVIDED LOCAL OPINION OPERATIONS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE Reference was made to the station site proposals at last night’s meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. Air W. A. Veitch, AI.P. was in attendance. Air W. L. Young, the chairman of the special committee set up to consider the station site question, wrote pointing out that -an effort had been made to induce the Hon. J. G. Coates to consent to the people of Wanganui deciding the question as to where the new railway station should be placed. This effort had so far not succeeded, but the committee intended to persevere along these lines, for they felt convinced that Wanganui was entitled to the biggest say in a matter which directly concerned the port and the growth of the imports and exports of the city. The location of the railway station to economically and thoroughly serve Wanganui’s present and future requirements was a question of almost vital importance, and the opportunity of making suitable provision was now. and not years to come. The racecourse site could scarcely be classed in the category of an economical one, the letter continued, and further, as pointed out by the Prime Alinister, the opposition would be so great as to debar it from consideration. In conclusion he explained that the Chamber could rest assured that every effort would be made to reach finality, with a decision acceptable to the people of Wanganui. Golden Opportunity Lost. Air Veitch contended that the trouble over the railway site was that the public were divided. They could not expect any department to spend money on any public utility until they were satisfied that there was something like unanimity. It had been finally decided that there would not be a new railway station in Wanganui for eight years,, and he could not see any way out of the difficulty. Air T. H. Rice: The racecourse is the way out. Continuing, Air Veitch said that ho wanted to impress on local people that it was absolutely necessary for them to compromise in the matter. They had lost the site through sheer local selfishness —it had wrecked the scheme. He was only sorry that Wanganui had lost a golden opportunity of having the site question settled through petty selfishness. His advice was that the committee that had the matter in hand should continue its negotiations with a view to coming to finality. Then they could hope to again approach the Department with success. Personally he believed that the pressure of business in the city would make the station necessary before the expiry of the eight years stipulated. Resentment Expressed. Air John Coull resented the suggestion that local jealousy had rendered the site question abortive. Air T. H. Rice: Purely and simply! Air Coull: “I differ from you entirely!” He added that when it was agreed to put the station on the racecourse it was not jealousy, but a desire to conserve a valuable area for the futu/e development of the city, that prompted the opposition. Air Veitch said he was glad to be given an opportunity to Correct any misapprehension he might have created. He repeated the statement that local jealousy was the cause of killing the site question. However, it was by no means the resentment against the selection of the racecourse site that had done so. There was a station site in the city without interfering with the reserve. Ho exonerated anyone who took part in the fight from jealousy so far as the racecourse site was concerned. It was eventually decided to thank the committee that has the question in I hand for their report, and urge them to endeavour to reach finality in the mat- ‘ ter.