SOUTH WESTLAND RAILWAY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22516, 26 September 1938, Page 18

SOUTH WESTLAND RAILWAY

"LET THE PUBLIC KNOW FACTS" FARMERS* UNION REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT [THE PBXBS BpecUl Service.] GREYMdura September 24. "The proposal to construct a railway from Ross to South Westland has been debated for years. From a financial aspect, some say it would be warranted; others say it would not be warranted." This was a statement made by Mr H. G. Carter (Ngahere) at the quarterly meeting of the West Coast Provincial district of the New Zealand Farmers' Union held to-day at. Greymouth. Mr W. E. Norton presided. "For years," Mr Norton said, "we have heard about the necessity of opening up South Westland, and I for one think that in the years to come there will be a railway there." The discussion arose from a remit "That we again urge the railway line to be extended from Ross southward," sponsored by the Wataroa (South Westland) branch of the union. The building of the railway, said Mr D. Jellie (Arahura), who supported the remit, would mean the keeping of money in the Dominion which at present was spent outside because of the maintenance of road services. New Zealand materials such as coal wouid be used by the proposed railway, and coal seams were known to exist, in addition to other . minerals, in South Westland. Coal seams existed at Jackson's Bay. The road services, said the secretary (Mr J. Mulcare) were paying a tax of about IOJd a gallon oh petrol alone, whereas the railways paid no such tax.

Mr Norton: It might be better if we tried to hasten the Government report on the proposed railway. "I cannot understand what is going on about the railway down there," said Mr Carter, "for experts have been sent there and have reported on the line especially about its financial possibilities. Why. then, are the people of New Zealand not given the facts? Mr Norton: Election year! "Why are the facts not made known," Mr Norton continued. "We agree that there should be better communications—then I say let the public know the facts about whether the cost of building the line is prohibitive or hot. and whether we must put up with the present arrangements." Mr Mulcare said that the member for the district' would know. It was decided to advise the Wataroa branch that the executive was sympathetic towards the request for the extension of the railway and that the Government would be requested to give reasons why the building of the line should not be begun.