RAILWAY CONNECTION SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1449, 21 September 1915, Page 2

RAILWAY CONNECTION SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED

The Minister is anxious, however, to also include within the scope.of the suggested Royal Commission "the desirability of allowing the Sandon tram to connect with the main line at either Marton or Greatford ; and the desirability of constructing by the Dominion or making provision for constructing by private capital the FoxtonLevin line, and also to enquire into the effect of the Levin-Foxton-Marton loop on the revenue of the railways of the Dominion." The Minister is of opinion that all these questions are akin and eutertwined, and should be considered together. A Royal Commission set up to consider one i-base would, according to the Minister, be better able to come to au

opinion if they took evidence on all these questions. This view is not held by one or two members of the Hoard, for the reason, presumably, that it may delay or prejudice the speedy settlement of the one and only question directly affecting the Hoard, viz., the acquisition of the wharf. We cannot sec that the railway Issues can in any way prejudice the claims of the Hoard to the rightful acquisition of the whart. That issue stands alone, and the Hoard can concentrate on it, while the railway connections are the concern not only of local bodies, but of vital importance to the Dominion as a whole. The Unking up of the Main Trunk line between Marton and Devin means a saving of nearly two hours in the railway journey between Auckland and Wellington, cco noniy in the cost of running, etc., and evidence on these points could he taken outside the Harbour Roanl's sphere of inllnemv. Such evidence could be collected at a conference convened tor such purpose without any action on behalf of the Harbour Hoard, and we think it would he a national blunder on the part of the Hoard to oppose the railways being included in the Royal Commission at one and the same time. The Minister should not be influenced by any local objection, but should urge Cabinet to retain the railway matters in the scope of the Commission.