LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2206, 23 November 1920, Page 2

LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

COMMENTING on the conference of local body representatives held at Sandon last week' in connection with the National scheme of linking up (he Main Trunk line between Levin and Marlon, the Manawalu Times is guilty of much misrepresentation. Onr esteemed contemporary says: —“The log-rollers arc out to do two things; (I) To get a new railway for themselves, or (2j to block the Palmerston North deviation They arc eon-

spiring with certain secretive hut very interested property owners in Palmerston North In

other words, they are going to do by Noise what Reason has failed to accomplish. .... Mr MeVilly dues not wish to waste public money in laying down shunting yards which would have to be torn .up a little later on. His concern is a national one, and he cannot afford to take a short-sighted view. ‘Cabinet concurs, and Parliament has granted an authorisation Act enabling this essential work of deviation to be taken in hand.” The so-called “lug-rollers’’ are not out to gel a new railway for themselves. The townships along the Mam Trunk line are admittedly wellserved, as arc the settlers along the Foxton-Sandon line. The object of the agitation is to urge upon the Government a work of national importance, as against wasteful expenditure on the Palmerston deviation. which, in view of the benefits to be derived from the former, cannot be justified. - Parochialism and vested interests do not enter into the Levin-Marton project. Can our contemporary say the same of the Palmerston deviation? As for a couspiraey between the advocates of the national scheme and Palmerston business people who are opposed to the Palmerston deviation, this is without foundation in fact. Pal-

mers!on opponents of (heir local dovial ion wore never approached by Dio national sohemo advocates. Whalover supporl-Diey are giving is purely voluntary. .Reason is behind the national .scheme, and Die pity is that Iho agitation has not boon more claimant. Statesmen in the pasl have recognised the national importance of connecting up the Main Trunk line, and had more noise been made probably the Government would have put; the wbrk in hand long ago. Our eon temporary says Mr AleVilly does not wish to waste puhlie money. Tie is eertaiuly making the attempt in sanctioning the Palmerston deviation. What has Mr MeVilly done with the late General Manager’s scheme for improvements to Die Palmerston yards? Why Ids secretive meeting with the Palmerston Borough Council? lie knows, and so does any one who has given the mailer consideration, that the two deviations will not-stand comparison. Let Air AlcYilly show in detail (d) the cost of the Palmerston deviation; (*2) the same re the Levin-Marton link; (3) Air Hiley's recommendations re Palmerston railway accommodation. If Diese facts had heen submitted to Parliament the clause having reference to the Palmerston deviation would have heen struck out by an overwhelming majority. It was Air .MeVil'iy’s policy to avoid ‘‘noise” or publicity, hut a searching enquiry into till the facts will, we hope, expose a serious blunder, stud prevent a. scandalous waste of the taxpayers’ monev.