RAILWAY FROM GISBORNE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 29, 30 November 1943, Page 5

RAILWAY FROM GISBORNE

CONNECTING TWO BAYS

DISTRICT M.P.'S AGREE

Mutual support is Io ho given by tlit*. members of Parliament tor tlie Gisborne and Bay ol Plenty electorates in mii endeavour to secure the construction ol' a railway from (Jis-, borne to link direct with the north, .states the Gisborne Herald. This information was given at a mooting the Gisborne Chambei of Commerce on Tuesday alternoon, when the acting chairman, Mr W. E. McEhvaine. said that Messrs D. W. Coleman and W. Sullivan had agreed that they would support each other in the matter irrespective of parly politics. They had given this undertaking when the chamber's executive had. met tliem last week in order to forward the. northern railway project, and it was hoped thai when the war was over the railway would be constucted. Mr T. A. N. Corson urged that the chamber should ask for an early survey of the possible, route,, and also make a strong appeal for the j construction of the Pokeno devia-j tion, which would considerably .shorten the journey between Gisboine and Auckland once the. northern railway link was completed. No Route Controversy Members expressed' the need for those pressing the railway to avoid any controversy regarding the route such as that which occurred prior to the constuclion of the line, from the south. The need was to stress the necessity for the railway and to allow the Government to make Its own choice, of the. most suitable, route. W that course were not taken the forces of the district might be split in a futile controversy that would inevitably lead to official indiire.ren.ee. until the local argument was settled. The meeting agreed to keep the matter before the Government,, and the executive was asked to report on the best means of achieving this object. Congratulations were extended to the executive in the success of its agitation for a one-day service on the railway from Gisborne. to Wellington to commence from January 10. The acting chairman stated, that the chamber had also urged the running of a night sleeper train three, times a week, but while that was not possible yet it would be considered later. The secretary, Mr M. J. White, said that one reason why any substantial extension was impossible in the service, was because of the manpower station. The Railway J Department had lost (5500 men to the armed forces.