NEW RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1928, Page 4

NEW RAILWAYS

WHO DECIDES POLICY ?

CRITICAL REFORM MEMBER

WELLINGTON, Aug. 14

The railway building policy was criticised from the Government side of the House when the financial debate was resumed to-day. Mr J. R. Hamilton (Aarua) pointed out that 35 per cent, of public works expenditure last vear was on new railways, a lact which should be noted in times when the whole aspect of transport ought to be seriously reconsidered. Who decided on these new lines? he asked. It seemed to him these things were run by heads of departments or someone. The Prime Minister: Nothing of the sort. That is unfair. Every session the House has an opportunity of approving the estimates, and the Government accepts the responsibility. Mr Hamilton: What about the East Coast line?

The Prime Minister: The Government accepts the responsibility. Mr Hamilton - If'the' Government ac-

cepts the responsibility for the East Coast line the general consensus of opinion of all who are unbiased is that it will not pay. We have the extension of the Stratford line and many others. We are not asking for a single line in the South Island. Mr J. S. Dickson: They do not pay

The Prime Minister: The month' for Buller, Motucka and Hurunui arc all asking for railways*. Mr Hamilton: Some of them have no more chance of getting them than I have of getting an extension of the Stewart Island wharf, which was turned down. There should be some other consideration given to these things than purely local. This has become a national concern. The Prime Minister: It always has been. M r Hamilton: I think Parliament should take the thing "in hand, and we should get some reasonable consideration for lines to be built in future.