PALMERSTON RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2386, 31 January 1922, Page 2

PALMERSTON RAILWAY DEVIATION.

In the House of Representatives on Friday night, Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) moved that the total vote of £250,000 (on account) for carry,-: ing on the works authorised by the Railways Improvements Authorisation Act, 1914, be reduced by £IOO as an indication that the Palmerston scheme should not be proceeded with. He was supported by members who argued that a centre served by a railway already should not have more money spent on it when other places were unable to secure a line. The Minister of Railways explained that the vote--for the deviation this year was £6,000. Mr Field’s amendment was by 31 votes to 15. ~

Commenting on the above, the Palmerston Times says.:— “The persistent attempts that are being- made by the members for Otaki, Rangitikei and Manawatu to block the proposal for the deviation of the railway at Palmerston North would be worthy of a better cause. They are so obviously inspired by dog-in-the-manger motives as to deceive nobody. The member for Otaki divided the House on the question last week, and had the mortification of being defeated by more than two to one. He certainly had the support of the Labour Party, but this Party’s opposition was on entirely different lines to that of Messrs Field, Glenn and Newman. The Prime Minister made it clear that the deviation was of pressing importance, and he had no difficulty in convincing the House on this point. After the heavy defeat the “Diehards” suffered on Friy day night, it is to be hoped they *o* no longer permit their better judgment to be influenced by parochial prejudices.”