TARANKI-AUCKLAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 October 1924, Page 4

TARANKI-AUCKLAND.

LINE OF FRST IMPORTANCE. STATEMENT BY MR. HAWKEN. Mr. O. J. iawken, M.P., telegraphs as follows: “Taranaki—Auckland line.—The ; Government regard this line as one p first importance and the Public Wor,s Department will show that steps hve been taken to accelerate the work When the tramway to Tangaralui is completed the tunnels can be stated, and I hope to see vigorous work carried on before long.” ' MINISTER REPLIES TO ELTHAM CHAMIER. (From Our Own Grrespondent). The Eltham Chanifer of Commerce wired the Prime Min,ter (Mr W. F. Massey), the Minister'or Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), ad the member for Egmont (Mr O. Hwken) concerning the absence of ai> indication in the Public Works Stattnent regarding the Taranaki-Aucklano railway completion. The Chamber expected more consideration in view oi the Taranaki delegation’s reasonable fquest. Last night the preident of the Chamber Tf Commerce -received the following wire 'from" the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. (, Coates):— “Telegram re Taranaki-Aekland railway completion received. \ In reply, wish to state. generally shaking that heavy floods and other puses have been responsible for holdirr up work which the Government reuses to be one of foremost importancej, These unforeseen delays' have been espohsible for preventing more work king done in the past, but more will be evident in the future..

The president of the StratfoJ Chamber of Commerce was asked .for an expression of opinion concertng the reference to the Stratford-OkhUkura railway in the Public Works Statement. . Mr Richards said it vtnld be considered very unsatisfactory ‘troughout Taranaki. Throughout the povince there is a strong demand thaCwork be vigorously prosecuted at hot; ends in order that through commun*atioir may be established m the slwtest possible time. Ample 1 evidence o‘, this has been provided by two delegtions which placed the views of. the proince before Ministers in Wellington. Ikese two deputations were the most i;bresentative ever assembled in the gepral interests of Taranaki. The Rijlic Works Statement indicates to hit a policy of “marking time” so far Stratford-Okahukura ; railway, is cneerned and dashes the hopes wfeh were raised when the Prime in his reply to the last deputktifi. said: “We cannot allow that remain for long.” \