LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1275, 23 July 1914, Page 3

LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY.

AND THE PALMERSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

“ I would like io ask what the Chamber is going to do in connection with the Levin-Gratford railway,” said Mr J. M. Johnston at the meeting of the Palmerston Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening. He went on to say that he had seen that the remit to ask the Government to build the line had been carried easily. It was a most extraordinary thing that they had had no notice of it. Mr Nash : We had notice.

The President (Mr Nathan) staled that he had been unable to attend the Conference the day the remit had been carried through urgent business. “ The thing is of too vital importance to allow it to pass without some comment,” went on Mr Johnston, who also stated that the Prime Minister had given a favourable reply to a deputation which waited upon him on the matter. Mr Nash : No, he said the railway would be done some day. (Laughter). Mr Johnston went on to say that he had said that the wires would be pulled some day, and now that they had. He would like to know the Chambers which voted for and against the proposal. He hoped this Chamber would bring the matter up for full discussion and have a conference. Marton, Levin and Foxton were interested in the matter. “It is a most serious thing ; I can’t understand it. We should leave no stone unturned to stop the business,” said Mr Johnston. Mr Park said that he had always understood railways were constructed for the large bulk of the people, and there was no doubt that the large bulk of people were served by the present course of the line. It was monstrous, said the speaker, to cut out such a district to make the line shorter. Mr Nash said that he was in accord with Mr Johnston, and suggested that there should be a conference between the Chamber and Borough Council.

The President said that the matter was of importance, but he did not think that a Government would be insane enough to build another line when it had already 30 miles of connecting line. The Government did not have the money to do that. At the same time the matter was of such paramount importance to the town and district that they should have a conference with the Borough Council, He moved to this effect. Mr Nash referred to a meeting in February last, when the construction of the Sandon tram to Marton was under discussion.

Mr Johnston said that if sufficient money were obtained to bridge the Rangilikei river the Sandon tram would go on to Marton. The matter was much more serious than the president thought. Those behind the proposal, the speaker said, were very strong with the Government. If the line went through to Marton it would be said, “There are only tea miles to connect with Levin and Foxton.” He would suggest a sub-committee of ea£h body Borough Council and Chamber ot Commerce.

The President thought the whole Chamber should be asked, and his motion for a conference was carried.