Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 6th, 1920. THE POLISH DANGER.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 6th, 1920. THE POLISH DANGER.

A return of the cost of -opened and unopened railway lines published in the current. “Gazette,” and stating the position 'as at March' 31st., last, provides a very interesting comparison with a similar statement issued last year. Since. March 31, 11)19, the cost of unopened lines in the North Island has grown.from £1,894,310 to £2,349,000, an increase of £454,090, and in the South Island from £1,100,030 to £1,130,350 an increase of £30,320. The total cost of unopened lines, including cost of surveys, materials in stock, and so forth, lias risen from £3,093,200 to £3,607,225 an increase of £514,025. The need of the policy of concentration advocated by the. Minister of pul>lie Works has seldom received a more Striking illustration. An expenditure in one year of over £450,000 on political railroads in the North Island is a very high price to pay for government by a North Island party, and the fact that the great mhss of this expenditure is likely to remain a dead-weight debt" for an indefinite period unless there is a complete revolution of policy does not improve its appearance.