TAUPO RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 8

TAUPO RAILWAY.

CASE FOR -'PETITIONERS.

MR. V fI ILE QUESTIONED.

TRIBUTE BY AUCKLAND MP

"SACRIFICED A COMFORTABLE LIFE." - (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this clay. Tho Taupo railway inquiry wa? resumed by the M to Z' Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives this morning. Mr. E. Earlc Vaile continued Lis evidence. When cross-examined by Mr. T. Makitanara Mr. Vaile said he had not bought 50,000 acres of pumice country for speculative purposes, but to justify a valuation. Mr. A. 3.1. Samuel protested against the examination of the witness on these lines, and the chairman upheld the objection. To Mr. H. S. Kyle: My idea in offering to sell my property to the Government was made with the idea that if the railway were built I should not, gain and I should be divested of any personal interest. However, as my offer has been described as worthless, I should like to withdraw it. Mr. H. R. Jenkins: It has been said that bias has been shown at this inquiry, and as a member of the Government party I would like it known I regard the witness as one of the pioneers, because he sacrificed what could have been a comfortable life and went out to make the wilderness into a garden. Mr. Kyle: Are you going to make a speech or ask questions? Mr. Jenkins: Well, I want to make it clear I am not hostile to the witness. I merely want to ascertain whetEer the railway should be built. No Party Donations Since 1908. To Mr. R. Scmple: The political influence in the Taupo area was nil. Since 1908 witness had not contributed anything to the Reform party's fund. There were no big party subscribers in the Taupo area. There were supporters of the Reform, United and Labour parties in the area.

Mr'. Semple: "So we have a stray supporter there. (Laughter.) Mr. W. E. Parry (an onlooker): Let' 3 have his photo, taken.

Mr. Semple: Your offer to sell your property was made to offset the suggestion that you would get a big "rake-off" if the railway was built? —Yes.

You know also that your offer invited the statement that the offer was made to induce the Government to build the railway ? —Yes.

Do you think it would be an inducement to any Government to offer to sell a farm for £30,000 if the Government would build a £700,000 railway?—l should say it would be a very slight inducement. Faith in Group Settlement. Mr. Semple: Are you satisfied the group settlement. system is the proper system to apply on this land? Mr. Vaile: I should say it would apply more satisfactorily there than in any other district. In my judgment it is only necessary,. to provide access to ensure development. It would be better to put unemployed men on this land, on wages, to break it in, than to put them on "made" jobs.

Scientific instruction for such intending settlers would be valuable, Mr. Vaile added,,for this country had to be worked properiy. The extensive use of fertilisers was the secret of success on this land. Cheaper and more plentiful fertilisers would greatly enhance the prospects of successful settlement—hence his unflagging advocacy of the railway, which would make the transport of fertilisers cheaper. "Railway Would Be My Monument." Mr. Semple: Are you convinced that if you came here and asked the Government to build a railway at a cost of £760,000, knowing it would be a white elephant, you would be committing a national crime? —Yes.

you know a man can get years in gaol for forging a cheque for £200, so if you ask the Government to build a dummy railway you realise you ought to get 25 years' gaol. That would fix you for good. (Laughter.) Mr. Vaile replied that he fully realised his responsibility, and it was only his certainty and honest conviction, founded on 20 years' experience, that the land could be brought into profitable occupation that had made him advocate a railway for so long, with very little support. Mr. Semple: Your advocacy of the railway, then, is made only in the interests of the nation ? Mr. Vaile: Absolutely. The railway would be my monument. To Mr. J. N. Massey: One great reason why the Taupo lands had not been settled was that no small areas were available, and there was a great area of native land. More than half the area was native land. To Mr. Samuel: The natives desired ithe railway, and practically all the Maoris in the area had agreed to pay 1/ per acre towards its cost. Mr. Vaile: Personally, I make no complaint. I acknowledge the courtesy «fb.own me. However, if I may say it, I think the chairman was a bit hard vp. me in not allowing me to answer the ■points he raised. Since then, of course, I have been given that opportunity. Timber Company's Chairman Speaks. Frederick G. Dalziell, barrister and : Solicitor, of Wellington, and chairman 1 M the Taupo Totara Timber Company, j "?ras the next witness. He said the Rotorua-Taupo line had never been - opposed by his company. The tramways 1 system of his company served the Gov- 1 e'rnment timber blocks in the area. Why * a new railway be built to divert [ tjuj timber? The company had spent < ,56260,000 on a frack to the Government , Railway, and as a result of the com- ] pany's enterprise there were now 73 settlers on the company's line, 53 of whom had gone there aa the result of the line. New Zealand Perpetual Forests, Ltd., based the whole of its operations on his company's line In no case had an authoritative recom-1 qaendation in favour of the Rotorua-1 Taupo line ever been made. It was un-1 !true that two Royal Commissions had reported favourably, and equally untrue' that witness' company wanted the Government to buy its line. He detailed the history of the agitation. Further evidence will be heaid toahorrow.