LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2773, 19 August 1924, Page 3

LEVIN-MARTON RAILWAY.

IVPR LINKLATER’S ADVOCACY. WORK MUST BE COMPLETED. When speaking in the House of Representatives on the Levin-Great-ford deviation, last Thursday, Mr J. Linklatcr, member for this constituency, said in his opinion, although two Commissions have reported adversely on the proposal of immediate construction of the Le-\in-Greatford deviation, the future will yet see the completion of this work. The cutting out of 17 miles of train runnisg for all time, the possibility of a daylight run between Wellington and Auckland, the cutting out of the heavy grades between Palmerston N. and Greatford and several other most important aspects of this question must be taken into consideration. “I would strongly urge upon the Government,” said Mr Linklater, “to place the question of the construction of the Palmerston N. and Le-vin-Greatford deviations jointly before the coming Commission, so that the agitation that has been going on for many years between the people of Manawatu and Palmerston N. may come to an end. I consider my electorate is entitled to this consideration and T hope it will be granted.” A. NATIONAL NECESSITY. In regard to the discussion in Parliament arising from the question addressed to the Minister of Railways by Mr W. H. Field, M.P., the President of the Levin Chamber of Commerce points out that, . the Railway Commission (Messrs Marchbanks, TTannav and Mies) of three years hack, was concerned principally with the question of the railway facilities at Palmerston N. and consideration of the desirability of the Lovin-Marton deviation was more or less incidental, being raised in connection with the third clause added lo (be order of referece as originally drafted, viz. “Whether it is desirable and expedient and warranted in and by Ihe public interest that any deviation should be made between Paekakariki and Marton; and if so between what points.” That the question did not receive the undivided attention its importance in relation to the North Island railway system merits is obvious and a complete report, and survey of the route is essential. The member for Palmerston N. has mentioned ono million pounds (the figure approximated in regard to the proposed deviation at Palmerston N.) as the cost of the Levin-Marton proposition, whereas having regard to six miles (Foxlon-Tlimnfangi) of the Foxton-Palmerston N. line being available, not to mention any prospective bargain as to the FoxtonSanson tramway formation, the 30 miles of .construction at £15,000 per mile would not exceed £450,000. A - part from service rendered to the fertile area concerned, the expenditure would be well warranted by reason of the saving in time, and running expense on the WellingtonAuokland and Wellington-New Plymouth journeys, and incidentally obviate the contemplated expenditure of a larger sum at Palmerston N. —entitled of course to the Hiley estimated outlay of from £40,000 to £BO,OOO. The advent of the main highway has no bearing upon the subject other than may be common to railway facilities in general. Crossing the Levin-Marton-Palmer-ston N. triangle by means of the deviation will he an increased rather than decreased competitive necessity in consequence of road transport speeding up.' It is admitted that it is a national more than parochial necessity.—Chronicle.