RIMUTAKA RAILWAY
A BAR, TO PROGRESS. The much-discussed question of the Rimutaka railway deviation was before the. Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The president (Mr. C, M. Luke) said that it must be a source of great disappointment that the session of Parliament had closed with so little done regarding such an important work. He added that he was amazed that the Government had closed the session without having given some proof .of their good intentions regarding the line. This was not a matter which should be a party question, but was, a national affair. It was sham' to talk of opening up the country when resources at our very door were crying out to be developed. It had been said at a recent conference that "the Wairarapa could not be developed unless the line was vastly improved. Mr. H. G. Hill said that he was rather disgusted at the supine attitude of the Wellington Harbour Board on the question.. In a few years hig vessels would be going to New Plymouth and Wanganui direct, so, unless the AYellington Harbour Board looked for fresh fields it would have its revenue reduced and the balance would-be .on the wrong side of the,ledger. As ,the Rimutaka line was so- costly, it seemed incomprehensible that any Government would let the question of improvement go by default.
Mr. James Keid said that he was disappointed that the Government had not shown more zeal and sincerity in the , matter. '
Mr. A. Leigh. Hunt said that the mere bald statement that a survey was to be made had ,not' satisfied those keenly interested in the matter, and many objections would have been. removed if tlio Minister had said that the work would be done as soon as'money was available, and-that it was-to be made an urgent work. Tlie,work was really urgent, and the question ,was the question of the day. Tho meat companies in the Wairarapa could not get sufficient trucks to bring their produce over the hill, and that position -must continue for some time to come.
Mr. H. G. Hill said that one meat company,.: being unable-to; get enough trucks, drove all their cattle over the hill. .: .
Mr. R. Hall remarked that droving might be cheaper than railing. Mr. HilhjNo. ' ; ' •. :i
The president said that even so, a cheap and good- railway service M was needed. .' ■ • ■ < - ,; '•■ I , ■
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2309, 17 November 1914, Page 3
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393RIMUTAKA RAILWAY Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2309, 17 November 1914, Page 3
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