OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1526, 23 August 1912, Page 9

OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

♦ A TARANAKI REQUEST. A numerous deputation, representing the Opunalce Railway League and local bodies in. the Tartinalii" aistrict," urged the Prime.Minister (the Hon. \V. P. llassey) and the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. \V. Fraser) 011 Wednesday to authorise a portion of the Opttnako railway, as recommended by the Commission set up to decidc ths route of the line. Mr. G. V. I'carce and the other Taranaki members, accompanied the deputation. It was agreed that the line should be commenced from both ends, but it was especially urged that some sixteen miles of the southern section was the portion most necessary. The Hon. AY. F. Masscy (Prime Minister) said that lie and his colleague had been very much interested in the representations of the deputation. The Opunalce railway had been before Parliament for a good number of years, but it was only when he saw the report of the Commission that he had any idea that such an ambitious scheme, involving the expenditure' of lialf a million of money was proposed. Ho believed from his knowledge of the country that tho southern end of the line would pay. The Government's trouble was one of finance, and (lie finances, as shown by recent loan operations in London, were not in as healthy a condition as the Government' could wish. Until Mr. Fraser had prepared his Public Works Estimates, the Government could not see how much loan money would bo available for railways, and whether anything would be available for this line, He himself had voted for this line when it was last before Parliament, and lie was prepared to stand by his vote now. Mr. leaser had not yet been able to recommend the Government as to whether an .Authorisation Bill would bo .brought down during the present session. He could not say whether any part of the Opunake railway would be included, but he could say tl'iat the survey would be' proceeded with. He suggested that |hc Minister for Public Works and he should spend a week-end in Taranaki, and inspect the route of tho line. In the matter of allocations, tho Government must do justice to the whole country, and Taranaki would not be neglected. He believed that the railway ouzht to be biiilt, but whether funds would permit or not lie could not express a definite opinion. The Hon. AV. Fraser (Minister for Public AVorks) endorsed Mr. Massoy's. remarks, and especially the suggestion that thev should visit the locality. A" .section of the same deputation from the AA'airarapa County Council asked tho Minister for Public AVorks if it were still possible for local bodies to get loan= from the Government. The Minister replied that the Government had to set a limit 011 the amounts. ITe .would, however, a=k the Minister for Finance to so into tlif> r/nesiion of what amount of money i« available for local bodies.