LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2789, 25 September 1924, Page 3

LEVIN-MARTON DEVIATION.

At Monday night’s meeting of (he Levn Chamber of Commerce the Levin-Marton railway deviation was brought under discussion. The Prime Minister acknowledged receipt of the Chamber’s resolution in favour of the Levin-Marton railway deviation, which “would receive careful consideration and in the meantime had been referred to the Hon. Minister for Public Works.” The Minister for Pubic Works also formally acknowledged the resolution.

The Minister for Railway* (the Hon. J. G. Coates) wrote: “With further reference to your letter of the 30th ultimo concerning the suggestion of a deviation of the railway between Levin and Mart-on, I have the honour to inform you that the advisability of constructing this deviation has already been inquired into by two Royal Commissions — the latter one as recently as three years ago—both of which reported against the proposal. It does not appear that any fresh circumstances have arisen that would warrant the re-opening of the question at; the present juncture. It is regretted, therefore, that the request embodied in the resolution passed by the Levin Chamber of Commerce cannot be acceded to.”

The president (Mr Holms) said no doubt some folk’would be influenced by letters of this sort, and would give up the ghost on receipt of them. .Judging however, by the feeling and attitude of the conference that sat at Foxton last week, there were others who were not so easily discouraged. The movement would therefore go on as it was fully justified. He quoted the economies that would he effected by the deviation and pointed out that there was a new factor in the matter, and that was the suggested expenditure of anything up to £BOO,OOO at Palmerston N. to give relief that Mr Hilev’s 1014 report had proposed to give for an expenditure of £BO,OOO. He would not labour the matter at present as it. could safely he loft to the Deviation League to carry on (he fight.

Mr lioe said the composition of the commission ensured an unfavourable report. It was decided to obtain the report of the first commission for filing purposes. The Raetibi and Stratford Oh ambers acknowledged receipt, of the Levin Chamber’s resolution, while the Wanganui Chamber wrote that, after discussion, it was decided to take no action.