LIGHT RAILWAYS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 3

LIGHT RAILWAYS.

A PRESSING NEED. BELGIAN SYSTEM URGED.

"I beliove (his is one of the most important matters wo have to consider," said Mr. A. A. Ross at the New Zealand Farmers' Union Conference yesterday, when moving the following remit from Auckland: "That this conference urge the Government to adopt a progressive policy tor the development or a system of light railways, and in eases wliero the Government cannot undertake their construction, to atford facilities for the work being undertaken by private enterprase on the lines of the Belgian system." Mr. Ros-s considered that the time was fast -coming when settlers would have to l:o assisted by the construction of light railways. Much had been done iu Belgium m -this respcct. 110 would not advocate that all the railways in New Zealand should be run by companies, but ho saw some advantages in private enterprise, especially in connection with branch lines. The fores of tho light railways was another matter to be considered. In Belgium a workman could travel for l-10d. per mile. AVhen light lines were constructed, at a small cost, the companies could afford to carry passengers and freight at a cheap rate. 3lr. 'IVTalbot (Hawke's Bay), in seconding the remit, said that there were many back districts which would be materially benefited by the construction of light railways. AVhere the Government could not undertake the work, facilities should be given to private companies. Mr. J. M'Queen (Southland) said there were many settlers who wanted the light lines. Unfortunately, they would not hack up their opinions by putting their hands in their pockets. 31r. H. J. Richard? (Levin) objected to the arbitral-?- action taken uj) by the Government. In the Jlanawatu, where a successful tramway had been put down to carry metal, tlie Government objected to extension. The Government, for want of funds, would not carry out tlicso works, and would not allow private enterprise to carry them out. The provision could always be made to have the Government take over the railway at any time. 3lr. E. Maxwell (Taranaki) favoured the proposal, but thought branch lines should be included in the remit. They wero aware now that the Government liad the matter ulider consideration. Deputations had waited on tho Minister, and pointed the position out. The idea for district railways was that a new class of local body should be formed, with consent of the Governor-in-Council, and should- b-t' empowered to borrow money for construction of the lilies, etc. Of euurse, the Government would always have tho say where the line was to be put down, and would supervise the construction. He under- ■ stood the Government was favourable to the scheme. He did not favour private, enterprise, however, although in cases it might be better than no enterprise. Mr. H. A. Nevins (Tenui) considered that instead of private enterprise, some Act should be passed allowing local bodies the power to raise money and construct lines. Mr. G. Gardner (North Canterbury) thought-there were such things as "political lines" in. New Zealand. He favoured leaving the matter for another twelve months, until the present Government gave a taste of what they wero going to do. Mr. J. G. AVilson referred to tho tramway line constructed in tho 3lanawatu County in 1882, under tho Roads and Bridges Act. The,tine had been of great use to tho district. They used the Gov- j ernment line to Foxton, alwut G miles, ! and wero charged heavily for the privilege. - There were great developments taking placo in the matter of traffic, wont-on 31r. AVilson. There was the motor traffic to be considered, and the latest tiling was motor | tramways. Iu the House tliero seemed two opinions, one favouring motor traffic, and another light railways. It seemed to liirn that both proposals would be effective. Li construction of railways they had to remember that rails had gone up very much, and there was tho difficulty of getting sleepers. The people in tho south hardly realised tho difficulties in the North Island. Some means had to be provided for getting to the back districts, or the country would bo starved. The monorail system should also be considered, said Mr. AVilson. It had proved very eft'c2tive where tried. It might be of great service in New Zealand. Personally he believed all the different systems would ha\le to be used. In replying to questions, Mr. AVilson said he understood that the Belgian system made districts, in which the land itself was responsible for any loss, incurred on the light lines. ( The remit was aniendied and passed as follows:—"That this conference urge the Government to adejit a progressive policy for the construction of branch lines and the development of a system of light railways, and in cases where the Government cannot undertake their construction, to afford facilities for the work being ■undertaken by local bodies, or private enterprise, on -the lines of the Belgian system." , . -A remit on the same subject from Hawke's Bay was also carried.