A RAILWAY SCHEME.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 474, 15 June 1912, Page 4

A RAILWAY SCHEME.

The scheme proposed by Te Kuit Chamber of Commerce for the con struction of a railway between Ka whia and Napier is worthy of the dee] consideration of all who are most in timately concerned in the question of connecting Kawhia harbour with the Main Trunk. It is further deserving of the consideration of a much widoi public, as it is a question of infinitely greater importance to the Dominiot than the connecting on any port witl the Main Trunk. Tin- building of rail ways invariably leads to a battle oi routes, and in branch railway proposals the points of connection frequently lead to disputes and bickerings which tend to indefinitely delay the construction of urgently needed works. A burn in;: question in connection with tin 1 proposed Kawhia railway is the point at which connection with the Main Trunk lino should be made. Arguments can bo adduced in favour of any 0110 ol several centres being made the connecting point, and it. in extremely improbable that the matlii will lie satisfactorily settled by any number of conferences. When delegates meet from those centres which have claims for the connection if is obvious that a deadlock must ensue, as each delegate must voice the. claim of his own centre'. In view of the whole position if. is to be. hoped r the. larger scheme proposed I'f the r .i o kuiti Chamber will bo adopted. It- is impossible to givo more than a general outline of such a comprehensive proposal, but if must: be evident to all that a coast-to-coast connection through the centre of the island is of

merely local proposal to connect the port with the Main Trunk line. As the greater proposal would absorb the lessor, and as the crossing point on tin' Main Trunk would be a matter for

engineers in decide, apart from any political wire, pulling: or local bickerin r.. the propwal should find favour wiih the Kawlua people, who are like* !y io he hampered by the petty jealousies of (lie rival centres. This as-

pert (if the question is of small importance. in comparison with the interests of the Dominion as a whole. The strongest possible arguments can he advanced in support of the proposal from a national standpoint. A huge extent, of fine country would be opened up for settlement; facilities would bo given to present backblock districts that would enhance the values of whole districts which under present conditions can never progress; an extraordinary impetua would be given to the commerce of both ports; the thermal district and other tourist resorts, at present almost inacceßßible, would be opened up, and the great interior of the North Island would be developed to a degree commensurate with the fertility of its soil, and the infinite variety of its natural resources. The scheme is one to dwell upon; it is worthy of consideration from a broad national stanpoint. It is to b« hoped all parochial feeling will be sunk in the interests of a scheme worthy of the support of all who have the future of the Dominion at heart.