NEW RAILWAYS.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19759, 14 December 1935, Page 9

NEW RAILWAYS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The Minister of Public Worts lias announced his intention to inspect the route of the East Coast railway, but in view of the definite promise made by Mr Savage that the work would he completed Mr Semple’s mission must he purely formal. The contention made by the Labour Party, that a largo sum has been invested in these undertakings, and is lying idle, bringing in no return, is hardly sound. The inquiries made have shown that, when completed, the line could never pay, and surely New Zealand does not want any more political lines. Letter to lose the interest on the sum spent than spend more and incur a larger loss. I Even if the line were paid for, as far as. possible, by printing more bank notes, it would not, pay. We cannot buy lhe material with these notes, so i that borrowing will be essential. Anyone who knows ihc country through which the line will pass must admit that it docs not lend itself to close settlement, ami that competition from shipping and motor services will have to lie met somehow. / The losses will simply add to I lie drain on the general funds, and they are big enough already. 1 have been informed that the deficiency on tlie railway interest, made up lire greater part of the deficits of recent years. With higher wages and other items the running and operating expenses will l)o greater, and so the potential loss heavier. We have a railway system that has not paid its way for years, and yet it is now proposed *o have a larger system with larger ■ losses. That is hardly sound states-manship.-—I am, eli'.. ESK DALE. Hamilton, December Id.