RAILWAY POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1961, 21 December 1906, Page 2

RAILWAY POLICY.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Auckland, last night, The question of extending the tlaihu railway to Hokianga was urged upon the Hon. J. A. Millar by two dtputmions at Darguviilo to.day. Mr Millar said that ihoso matters carno under the jurisdiction of the Minister for Public Works, but he could tell them that similar demands were made from all parts of the colony, and that to grant them all would require ten times the amount of money that tho Government had at its disposal. The Government had no intention of going in for a big borrowing policy. Tnts would bo injadioious, as is would lean to alatrn and an influx of«woikmen, who would reap the advantage of the expenditure while it lasted, und then depart from the oolony, leaving those iu it to pay the inserest on the borrowed mony. There was plenty of employment in toe colony at present. In regard to she request for the Hokianga extension, be had understood tout tne people of Auckland looked upon tho extension of the North Auokland main trunk line us a matter of the greatest importance. They had a large vote for this, and they could not expect a vote fur the extension of the Raitiu line at tne sumo rime. Taey had so mmy railways on hand that it oouid not be dune. There was the North Island Main Trunk line, for which a vose of £390,000 had been made last session, He believed that this vo.e would be fully or over expanded daring tne current year, aad tho Govetnmen! would have to ask for another vote of the same amount nex; year, or about one-half of the total amount available for she whole of the railways oi she coioiiy. Is was noped to complete this wuik by the end oi 19U8. Wnon they get this nod one or two esuer griuc.pa! works cut oi hand they would be able to do someuiiog in regard to some ol the new lines, bus until that time he did not think they wou d be able to get a vote for tne extension of the Kaihu line,