LEVIN-GREATFORD DEVIATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2772, 16 August 1924, Page 3

LEVIN-GREATFORD DEVIATION

1 > MINISTER REPLIES TO MR. FIELD. AIR NASH HEAVES A BRICK. In the House some little time back. AL' Field asked the Alinister of Railways whether (lie proposal which has been before the public for about forty years for the construction of a deviation of Ihe Main trunk line from Levin, by way of Foxton, to Grcnfford, comes within (he order of reference of the commission recently appointed to consider our railway policy and administration.

Air Coales replied yesterday as follows: “The purpose of the proposed commission was moro in tlia»direction of inquiring regarding the working of the rnlway system in llie dominion as at present constructed and it was not proposed that the commission should lie concerned with the question of the construction of fresh lines of railway. hi connection with the particular deviation mentioned in the question itis to he noted Unit the advisability of const moling it has already been inquired into by two Royal Commissions, the. later one as recently as three years ago, both of which reported against the proposal. It does not appear that any fresh circumstances have arisen to alter the position as it existed when reported upon by these. Commissions and it does not appear, therefore, that any advantage would he gained by occupying the time of the commission now contemplated with further consideration of the proposal. Several members said a few words in favour of the deviation, but Mr Nash expressed an opinion strongly against it and in favour of the Minister’s statement. Tie said that for people who wanted to go to the port of Foxton, there already was a railway and (here was also ample means of carrying produce. There was only the question of shortening the route lo Wellington arid ii would be. absurd if (be Government had to spend a million pounds for that. In any ease there was going to be a main highway, and it did not. appear that any advantage would be gained by occupying (he time of the proposed commission in looking into ;i question which already bad been gone into by other commissions. A deviation of the line would not m n.'iit the district at all.