The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, September 14, 1915. THE WHARF AND RAILWAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1446, 14 September 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, September 14, 1915. THE WHARF AND RAILWAYS.

Mr. J. A. Nash, Mayor of Palmerston N., was in Foxton on Saturday conferring with Mr Hennessy, Chairman of the Harbour Board, in respect to Board matters, and the proposed conference with the Minister for Railways on the eternal wharf question. The Minister has submitted certain proposals through Mr Field, member for the district, which he suggests should form the basis of a Royal Commission, and which he proposes to submit tor Cabinet’s approval. We understand the proposals for enquiry are as follow : (1) The desirability of selling the Foxton wharf to the Foxton Harbour Beard, and whether the sale should he considered as a business transaction or in the nature of an endowment to the Board. (2) The desirability of allowing the Sandou tram to connect with the main line at either Marton or Greatford. (3) The desirability of constructing by the Dominion or making provision for constructing by private capital the Foxtou-Levin line, and also to enquire Into the effect of the Levin-Foxtou-Marton loop on the revenue of the railways of the Dominion.

The Minister is of opinion that all these questions are akin and intertwined, and should be considered together. A Royal Commission set up to consider one phase would, according to the Minister, be better able to come to an opinion if they took evidence on all these questions. As to the personnel of the Commission, the Minister has not yet formed an opinion, and if Cabinet agrees to the general principle, he will be glad to consult with members affected on the question. The Board may not be disposed to agree to the Minister’s proposals, for fear of arousing opposition on points that may seem irrelevant to the Board, and which to Palmerston is as a red rag to a bull. We refer to the railway connection and extension. They may further argue that the introduction of the railway issue may prejudice and delay the acquisition of the wharf, the Board’s principal source ot revenue for the improvement of the port. We fall to see, however, that the introduction of the railway question can in any way prejudice or delay the wharf settlement. The Board cau concentrate upon this subject alone, and local bodies from Taihape to Levin can take up the other issues, which are not only of local importance, but are distinctly national. It would be a serious errror for the Board, without consultation with other local governing bodies, to ask for the deletion of the railway questions Irom the scope of the Royal Commission, as there is no reason, except of a distinctly parochial nature, to justify such limitation. We understand members of the Board will confer with the Minister on the subject, but we are not acquainted with the attitude they will adopt. We hope, however, the Board will not pursue a dog In the manger attitude concerning the matters above mentioned which are of vital importance to the district and State.