AN URGENT NEED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1817, 1 August 1913, Page 4

AN URGENT NEED.

A very strong. case for the consideration of the Government was made out yesterday -Joy the influential and representative deputation, headed by Sir Walter Buchanan, which placed before the Minister for Public Works the necessity for immediate steps being taken with regard to the deviation of tho llimutaka line and the provision of more adequate railway facilities for the East Coast districtof the Wellington province. The requests of the country members of the deputation were supported by representatives of the Wellington City Council, tho Harbour Board, and the Chamber of Commerce, who laid stress on tho advantages which the city would secure from an improvement of the means of communication with tho district' referred to. The position was very clearly explained by the various speakers, and it is satisfactory to know that the Minister was fully impressed by the facts brought under his notice. It was pointed out that other Governments have recognised the justice of the claim of the East Coast for a railway and that other Ministers had expressed sympathy; but sympathy, however deep, will not carry goods to market, and the time has now come for action. Previous Governments have made fair promises, but the settlers expect something more from the present Government—they expect performance. They certainly have been left out in the cold for many years, while millions of money have been spent in other districts: yet almost all of the East Coast lands of this province are suitable for settlement. In-

deed Me. Fraser declared that he did not think he had seen a better tract of country for growing stock, and that to make the best of it improved communication was absolutely essential. The deputation suggested that the Government should have a survey made of a branch line, and also a report obtained regarding the Rimutaka deviation. Both these requests are reasonable, and deserve the prompt and favourable attention of the Government. Mr. Phased, who expressed himself as being in thorougn sympathy with tho objects of the deputation, also stated that he during his term of office to initiate the scheme which they had placed before him. As tho present Minister for .Public Works is not in the habit of making rash and empty promises the people of the districts concerned may safely rely upon somo definite steps being taken in the near future towards the realisation of their long-deferred hopes.