UNKING UP MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2148, 6 July 1920, Page 3

UNKING UP MAIN TRUNK LINE.

BETWEEN LBV|N AND MARTON.

Conference at sandon.

A large and represputative conference assembled at Hanson at the invitation of the Manawatu County {Council on Saturday for the purpose of taking step to revive the question of the -Levin-Marten railway deviation.

Bodies represented were The Manawatu County 'Council. Horowhcnua County Council.—Mr Jas. McLeavey. Rangitikoi County Council. Marten Borough Council. Martou, Chamber of Commerce. Fox ton Borough Council.—Messrs. Chrystall, Coley and MeMurray. Foxton Chamber of Commerce.— Messrs Hornblow, Barr and Moorehouse.

Levin Borough Council.—Tho Mayor (Mr Matbeson) and Councillors Hobson and Parker. Levin Chamber of Commerce.—Mr Haswell. Rongotea Town Board and Fanners’

Union, Bulls Town Board. Mr W. H. Field', M.P. for Otaki, and Mr E. Newman, M.P, for

Manawatu, were also present. Sir James Wilson (Manawatu County Council) was voted to chair, and said they had; met Jo consider a matter of great moment. The Government proposed to spend a large sum of money in' diverting the railway line at Palmerston. The Mayor of Foxton, Mr Chrystall, ever alert and active in tho advocacy of the Levin,FoxtoniMarton deviation, had promptly suggested that the time was opportune for reviving that project. Tho result was the large and, representative conference they saw that day. “I don’t think any of us desire,” he continued, “to ‘do anything that will injure Palmerston in any way. At tho same time there is a public duty which wo should not shirk because of the manner in which it will affect tlie people of one town. That duty is to point out tho very material benefit that will ho conferred upon the Dominion as a whole by the shortening of the railway route between Wellington and Auckland).” (Applause). >Sir James said that increasing traffic would make it necessary .very soon for the Department to lower the grades in many places to reduce haulage difficulties. The route that ■the conference advocated, not only shortened the journey, but it avoided some of the worst grades on the present Hnef . The object of the proposed deviation at Palmerston was to relieve tho congestion there. It was for the conference to show that it had some alternative scheme that w'ould relieve tlie congestion and offer the other advantages of reduced mileage and lower grades. Sir James emphasised the very large sum of money that would bo saved annually m haulage charges over lower grades. It would be a very serious and costly matter to take the railway round tho outskirts of a town like Palmerston, where already : t' was understood there had been considerable speculative buying of land in order to get as much as possible out of the Government for compensation. The greater deviation could probably bo carried out for the same amount of money it was proposed s to spend in Palmerston, and it would servo to bring into greater use a considerable area of first-class land. It was only a question of time when the whole Manawatu line would have to he duplicated, and it would be very much hotter to make the duplication on a new route than on the old one. (Applause.) M.P.’S SUPPORT. Mr Edward Newman, M.P., said Mr Glenn, M.P. for llangitikei, assured him of his sympathy an.d support. As far as the speaker’s position went, lie wished to say quite frankly that had it not been that the Government projposed to spend a large sum of money at Palmerston North, he would not Jiave been a supporter of this scheme at present. Most of the Dominion’s problems centred round finance, and must be causing great anxiety to the Minister of Finance. In view of that, he would not he a party to bringing forward any demand for the expenditure of largo sums of money unless such was absolutely necessary. But if it was established that it was necessary—and tho Government admitted that in this case by its proposals at Palmerston —then it should be spent in the most advantageous manner. On© Minister after another had assured him that before very long the Manawatu lino must be duplicated.. Mr Hiley had said the transport system would ho dislocated unless some relief was given at that point. There could be no doubt, therefore, of the necessity in national interests for some undertaking of this nature. He thought the Government should he very strongly urged to make a new trial survey of the Levin-Marton rout© and prepare fresh estimates of the cost of constructing this deviation. No doubt the great majority of the people of Palmerston would take the broad and national view that it was a work of national importance to shorten the Main Trunk route between Auckland and Wellington by an hour of time. All he could say was that his services were at the disposal of the conference in any way that was desired.

Mr W. H. Field, M.P., said the matter had occupied His attention for more years than he would like to mention. The previous Commission made its-decision in relation to the finances ganiser to take up the work they, reef the Dominion and the war conditions at the time. He agreed with 'Mr Newman as to the advisability of bringing forward projects involving great expenditure. No one knew, however, the relative cost of the Palmerston work and the larger deviation. even if the larger deviation cost very much more than that at Palmerston, it would he very well worth it. Either the Government should take up this deviation or should abandon both schemes until money was yery much more plentiful than at present. The matter had already been mentioned in Welington, and it ,appealed favourably to some of the members. The question was, how could

they "best approach the Government. It seemed to him that they should be able to interest at least h*4& the members of Parliament m the proposal/ and that by that means they could bring pressure to bear on the Government to induce them to give the fullest. consideration to the deviation. He would give the movement every ,assistance in his power. The member for Palmerston, ho added, was very sanguine and believed that the Bill authorising the Palmerston deviation would be pub without the possibility of doubt; evidently he had been given some promise to that effect by the Government. V THE CONFERENCE PROTESTS.

Mr J. Chrystall, Mayor, of Foxton, said he felt sanguine that they were going to be successful. Five questions were submitted to the previous Commission. One was the acquisition of Foxton wharf, which now an accomplished fact. In regard to the deviation thou, evidence was taken, under the shadow of a great war and conditions were very different. Mr McVilly himself had said that traffic through Palmerston had increased by 200 per cent during the war years. If that was so, what would it bo in coming normal years. Mr Chrystall submitted a motion, which was seconded by Mr Simpson, (Rangitikoi County Council) and referred to a small sub-committee, with Mr Chrystall, to revise. Mr Kensington, Mayor of Marton, urged that they must keep all parochial considerations out of the matter, He quoted figures to show that the Levin-Marton deviation would cost probably £250,000. The duplication of tho Manawatu line would cost from £200,000 to £220,000. They had seen it stated in the Pa-css that the Palmerston deviation would probably cost another £200,000—£400,000 in all. From an economic, monetary and commercial point of view there was no question as to which was preferable. Tho whole route from Levin to Marton was nearly level all the way. The only heavy works were the bridges over the Manawatu and Rangitikel rivers Mr J- McLeavey said there was no doubt tbo deviation would be a great national economy,, especially in haulage. The effect of the cutting out of the Kopntnroa grade alone from a great deal of the traffic would be worth a great deal. The sub-committee presented the following motion, which was carried unanimously: “That this meeting of delegates from local bodies desires to enter an emphatic protest against the proposed expenditure of such a laige sum as indicated for the deviation of the present main line from Longburn to Terrace End, and considers that the national interests will be much more efficiently served by constructing an entirely new line direct from XiCvin to Greatford or Marton. This line v ill reduce the distance from Levin to Greatford about 17 miles, and certainly lessen the time by fully an hour between Wellington and Auckland, and at the same time relievo the present congestion of through rolling stock and goods at Palmerston North, and render the duplication of tho present Hue unnecessary to improve tho grade. Mr Bryce suggested approaching, the local bodies rip the Alain I rank lino and Taranaki, and, asking them to interest their members of Parliament in the movement. The delegates should go from the meeting prepared'to light to tbo utmost for the big deviation. Air Field favoured approaching Parliament by means of a monster petition after first interesting tho local bodies. He also suggested inviting the Minister for Public Works, a man of strong practical views, to go over the route. The matter would then probably be referred to a special committee of the House. Mr Newman agreed, and pointed out that the conference-could bring'evidence before tho committee in support of their statements. RAILWAY LEAGUE SET UP. Air Bryce then moved: “That a committee ho set up to wait upon the various local bodies and Chambers ol Commerce between Wellington and Levin, between Marton and New il>fouth, ami. between Marton and'‘Auckland, to explain to them the national importance of shortening the Alain Trunk lino by the proposed deviation between Marton and Levin, and to solicit their active support.” Mr Alatheson, /Mayor of Levin, said they all recognised that this was a big matter, which must be handled in a business-like manner.' The resolution was very good, but did not go far enough. They should form a permanent League to fight for this deviation, to consider ways and means of finance. If necessary, they should pay an enquired doing. Air Bryce altered, his motion in accordance with Mr Matheson’s suggestion, to read, “That this meeting form itself into a Railway League to wait upon,” etc., and this was carried unanimously. Mr Aloorehouse considered it was a very great pity Air Nash, M.P., was not asked to lie presente to give Palmerston’s viewpoint. There must he some reason for this proposal at that town. He might have, been able to give them some information, and, at any rate, opposition was good. Messrs Kensington, Richardson and Bryce were appointed a sub-coramit-teo to draw up a petition to Parliament ,and Mr Mair( Engineer to the Rangitikoi County Council) to obtain a lithograph- showing grades and other particulars. FIRST STEP—A DEPUTATION. Air Hornblow said that anyone who knew Mr Nash knew that he was a very enterprising member, who lost no lime in getting to work in the lobbies. The Palmerston scheme was the recommendation of the Departmental heads, and it was understood that the Authorisation Bill was to come up immediately. No doubt ‘ it would be sprung upon the House. If they wanted to do any good, a strong deputation must go.down to AVellington at once and submit their ideas. Then they could get their machinery to work" and prepare the petition and evidence.

' Mr Newman supported Mr Hornblow’s view, He had already in-

formed the Prime Minister that this movement had begun, and lie would, on his return, acquaint him with the result- of the conference.

■ Mr Field agreed that a deputation was necessary.

Mr Hornblow moved, and Mr Chrystall seconded, “That a deputation go at once, to Wellington to wait on the Prime Minister.” This was earned unanimously, and a deputation composed of tile heads of the local bodies and Chambers of Commerce will go to Wellington on Thursday next.

Sir James Wilson was appointed chairman of the League by acclamation, with the chairman of the various local bodies as an executive, and Mr A. K. Drew, clerk to the Manawatu County Council, as secretary. The Conference then adjourned. DEPUTATION ON THURSDAY. The Prime Minister has notified Mr Newman, M.P., that he will receive the deputation on Thursday, at 10 a.m. The Mayor (Mr Chrystall) will represent Foxton, MAIN TRUNK SUPPORT. The Waimarino County Call, commenting on the agitation for linking up the Main Trunk line between Alarton or Grcatford and Levin, says editorially: — “In the past wc strongly adv.oeated the construction of Jhis line of fiailway, a deviation from the main line at Levin, which would run through Foxton, a seaport, and come out ut Marton. Wc heartily join in with the local bodies in their effort, and hope that the local bodies in this county will not want to bo asked for their support, but will at once discuss the matter and give a pronounced expression of opinion favourable to the construction of the Levin-Marton deviation. ■ And we hope that all local bodies along the Main Trunk Lino, and tho representatives in (he House of all electorates north of Levin, will declare against any further delay in its construction. We -say not a word against Palmerston getting a loop line, but we object to a large sum of money being spent in this direction, while a work, far more important, is neglected. The line we are agitating for will not benollt one

town only, but many. Tho deviation by' Avay of Foxton would shorten (he journey between Levin and Alarton by sixteen miles. AYlmt of the saving in wear and tear in the rolling stock 1 ? This consideration alone should have much weight with the Government in considering this scheme, which in addition would be a great saving in the transport of passengers and goods. In these days when money the pockets of tho people should have a strong claim. Many' years ago a syndicate of very wealthy men offered to raise the money for the construction of a line of railway between Levin and Greatford, and they interviewed Mr R, J. Seddon, tho then Premier. He declined their offer, saying he was against any private company controlling a railway line, but he perceived that tho proposed line was a necessary one, and when other lines to open up the back blocks were constructed tho Lcviii-Grcatford line should he put in hand. Now, the biggest expense in putting this line through is the bridging of the Rangitikei river. Every' settler knows (hat there is no hilly country between Levin and Alarton. It is flat all the way through, and there is about eleven miles of country between Foxton and Sandon over which a light line of railway has been in use for years. We certainly object to Palmerston being voted thousands of pounds for its own particular benefit and work of National importance set aside. If. the deviation we favour is not carried through at t his jnnelifte we shall not hear of it for another decade. We (all upon every local body between Alarton and Auckland to pass resolutions in favour of the Government giving immediate consideration to the agitation for the const met ion of the Levin-Marton railway,”