The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, October 5, 1915. THE WHARF COMMISSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1455, 5 October 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, October 5, 1915. THE WHARF COMMISSION.

Our esteemed Feilding contemporary is happy in the tact that railway matters have been eliminated from the scope of the Royal Commission to deal with the .settlement of the Foxton wharf. The Minister for Railways suggested that the Commission should inquire into (1) handing the Foxton wharf over from the Railway Department to the Harbour Board, (2) diverting the Main Trunk railway line from Levin via Foxton to Greatford or Marton, and (3) connecting up the Sandon tramway with Greatford. The Harbour Board protested against any other subject outside the wharf being introduced for the Commission’s consideration for the reason that it would delay settlement and arouse opposition which might prejudice the Board coming into its own under the present condition of things. It was thought, too, that evidence on behalf of the Government to the effect that the authorisation of the railway connection is within measurable distance, might enhance the value of the wharf asset and justify the Railway Department’s iniquitous demand. The Minister and Cabinet have decided to give the Board a clear run. The humorous part of the Star’s comments, however, is that it has taken itself too seriously. The article infers that the Star was responsible for the Minister’s change of mind, when, as a matter of fact, the Star’s “ protest ” appeared after the whole thing had been settled by those concerned. Our contemporary states in the article we are referring to ; —“ We urged that even in the piping times of peace the line straightening proposition would be a foolishness to take seriouly, but in these strenuous days it would be a gross extravagance to put a Royal Commission on its track. At the same time we again express our belief that Foxton folks should run their own harbour and wharf. The Railway Department has been too greedy too long, and it should be settled without the expense of a Royal Commission. Now comes the sequel to our protest. The member for the district (Mr W. H. Field) informs the Foxton Harbour Board that Cabinet has resolved to set up a Royal Commission to report upon the Foxton wharf question, with a view to its being finally dealt with by the Government, and by Parliament if necessary. ‘ The question of the construction of the LevinFoxton - Greatford railway, and the connecting of the Sandon tramway with the Government railway at Greatford are to remain over to form the subject of another commission. It was deemed advisable, owing chiefly to expected opposition from Feilding and Palmerston, not to submit the railway and tramway matters to the Wharf Commission, but to deal first with the wharf, upon the subject of which the whole district is united.’ Notice that Mr Field, gives first place to Feilding putting up the fight against some subtle scheme that aims at reaping the unearned increment somewhere.”