RAILWAY POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1930, Page 3

RAILWAY POLICY

MISLEADING STATEMENT CORRECTED. GOVERNMENT’S PLANS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.* WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. A denial was made to-day by the Prime Minister of a published state-: •ment that “New Zealand is-preparing to invest another £15,000.000 in new railways.” “This assertion,” said Sir Joseph, (“is misleading, and is not correct. The Government is not embarking on the construction of any new lines, but is merely hastening the completion of existing trunk lines, which is essential in the interests of the Dominion as a whole. The Government’s policy in . respect to transport bus already been laid down by me oil various occasions, and may be briefly reiterated here as follows- '. ’ ‘ “*"■

“To complete the trunk lines as the foundation of the system. • “Not to construct any more short .branch lines, where transport needs can he adequately and more economically catered for by other means of transport.

“To investigate the position of present branch lines, with a view to deciding as to their future working. “To write down railway capital by the amount contributed thereto from revenue and cancel the present subsidy from the Consolidated Fund. “To co-ordinate the railway and motor road construction policies.

“To take steps to bring about coordination between the road , and rail transport services.”

In conclusion, Sir Joseph added that it cannot be gainsaid that the railways must he the backbone of the Dominion’s transport system, and that the policy ■ announced above, which the . Government is pursuing, will eventually obtain a complete system of unified transport based- on a correct- degree of j/o-ordi nation between road and railway.