“A MONSTROUS FOLLY.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2795, 9 October 1924, Page 3

“A MONSTROUS FOLLY.”

THE PALMERSTON NORTH DEVIATION. TUESDAY NIGHT’S MEETING AGRESSrVE. DEPUTATION TO INTERVIEW HEADS. A combined meeting- of the Foxton Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (John Chrystall Esq.) and Crs. Bryant, Smith, Thompson, Adams. Parkin and Walker. The Chamber of Commerce was represented by the following: Messrs D. Christie (president), F. Rimmer, G. T. Woodroofe, C. A. Pearson, M. E, Perreau and McMurray (secretary). The Mayor said that the object of the meeting was known to all. The meeting had been called to sec what action should be taken re the report of the Minister of Railways laid before Parliament in reference to the Palmerston N. Railway deviation. It had been quite a shock to Foxton residents to find such a proposal recommended. It would he “monstrous folly” to undertake such a work. Foxton had been unfairly treated in connection with the suggested deviation. He was ! of opinion that a deputation from Foxton should wait on the Minister of Railways and Prime Minister with the object of having the whole matter of both deviations placed before the English Commission, which was due to arrive in New Zealand on Thursday. The proposed Palmerston N. deviation was contrary to the principals of successful railway construction throughout, the world. In this deviation it was intended to take the main artery of business, industry and trade out of the heart of the town and place it outside the borough boundary. It was an attempt to injure the people for the sake of a few speculators and land agents. He was horrified that the Reform Government could advocate such a monstrous folly. Cr. Smith endorsed the Mayor’s remarks and said he was also “horrified” at the contemplated action of the Government. They were bringing a Commission to the country to go into the ways and means of cutting-down railway expenses and then had practically decided on the Palmerston N. deviation before the Commission had arrived in the Dominion. Even if it cost twice as much as (he Palmerston N. deviation to put the Levin-Marton deviation through, it would be a better paying proposition. The saving in running •expenses alone would pay interest and sinking fund on this work. Crs. Thompson and Walker also endorsed the previous speakers’ remarks, the latter suggesting that a change of Government was necessary.

Cr. Thompson then moved, seconded by Cr. Bryant: That this meeting re-affirms an emphatic protest against the construction of the proposed Palmerston N. deviation line of railway and respectfully suggests that before any further sums are authorised for the said works, the pioposed Levin-Mar ton deviation and the Palmerston N. deviation with surveys and detailed estimates of present-day costs, be placed before the English Commission for . their opinion. Mr McMurray considered that, in view of a telegram received from Mr Field, M.P. that it was not necessary for a deputation to go to Wellington, They should busy themselves obtaining money to get an estimate from a fully competent engineer, of tbe cost of the LevinJVlarton deviation. The Mayor said he was in favour of a deputation waiting on the Prime Minister and Minister of .Railways. A Foxton deputation hud previously done this some years ago, with the result that the scheme had been shelved for four years and a saving of £IOO,OOO in interest thus made! They should leave no stone unturned to prevent such a wrong being done them. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. -It was decided that a deputation consisting of Ills Worship the Mayor and Cr. Smith be appointed to interview the Prime Minister and Minister of Railways, together with ' delegates from the Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor said Foxton was in an auomaiyous position as regards representation in the House. They had none at all in regard to the Palmerston E. deviation. He was deeply grieved that the Member for the ufstfict had not apposed the deviation and upheld the Levin-Marton proposal in the House. They knew that he was supporting both deviations, but surely he could have urged ine prior claim/ Seventy-live per cent, of this district were diametrically opposed to the Palmerston A. deviation and in favour of cue Levin-Marton scheme “and yet our Member sits stilt in the House and does nothing,” Foxton could never hope to succeed until the Levin-Marton railway was put through. ' ‘ ' - ' Cr. Thompson: Get a new ALP. Mr Christie : You know where his interests lie 1 Mr McMurray said he did not agree with previous speakers. They neld that they had been agitating for forty years to get the LevinMarton deviation through, it was them own fault it had not been completed. Twenty years ago the route was surveyed off and they had their opportunity then, but had let it til op. Mr M. E, Perreau endorsed the , Mayor a remarks and said he was disappointed in Mr Linklater. Mr McMurray asked the meeting

to consider Mr Linklater’s position. His electorate was right where both deviations were. The Mayor: That’s no excuse. Mr McMurray: Yes it is. He would be up against more interests in Palmerston N. Cr. Walker: Then we must be represented by a man interested in Foxton. Air McMurray: An- effort should l»e made to have the electoral boundaries altered. It was decided on the motion o£ Messrs Chrystall and Bryant that this meeting desires to place on record its deep disappointment of the altitude of' the Member for the District in his apathy in allowing the recent proposals submitted to Parliament by.the Minister of Railways to be sanctioned without urging the prior claim of the Levin-Marton deviation. »

Tf was decided, on the motion, of Messrs Chrystall and Walker, that a letter of appreciation he sent to Air Feild, ALP., congratulating him* on his praiseworthy efforts in advocating and urging the claims of the Levin-Atari on deviation. At the conclusion of the above meeting Cr. Smith introduced a representative of the “Dominion” staff, who was in Foxton with the object of endeavouring to obtain an advertisement for the publicity of the Levin-Marton deviation for his paper. It was decided that the meeting had nothing to do with the publicity part of the campaign and the visitor was referred to the Levin-Marton Deviation League Committee. LEVIN ALERT.

SUPPORT FOR DEPUTATION.

At ARmday night’s meeting of the Levin Borough Council the Alnyor (Air T. Ilohson) said the Mayor of Foxton had rung him up and said that some definite action would have i he taken this week and be hoped Ibis district would fall into line. It was proposed to send a deputation to Wellington. The Alayor had communicated with the Levin Chamber of ! Commerce and they informed him that a committee had been appointed at the conference at Foxton to deal with the matter. It seemed that, the Government proposals meant that a lot of money was to-be spent in some districts and others left out. He felt that the intention to spend all this money at Pnlmerson N. was not good policy. By improving the Rimutaka. line the railway position right up to Hawke’s Bay would be eased. Mr IT.iley had recommended the expenditure of £40,000 at Palmerston N. as sufficient, and the Mayor said they should certainly protest against the spending’ of all the money now proposed on what was really a local affair.

GREATEST POSSIBLE BLUNDER Cr. Roe, ns one of the delegates to the Foxton Conference, said a commit tee was set up there to build up a fighting fi(nd. He trusted the Levin Council would give the protest the utmost possible support as it was very important. Tie would like to see delegates go to Wellington from the country right, up to Auckland, but the people up there were not so conversant with the nature of the proposals. “As surely as the sun rises and sets,” said the speaker, “the Levin-Marton deviation must come.” They should take great exception to the Government spending half-a.-million in Palmerston N. It was the worst blunder the Government could commit. The Rimutaka improvement should be carried out first. Cr. Roe pointed out that one of the commissions that reported against the Levin-Marton proposal included two of the men responsible for the present route of Lite Manawatu Railway and they could not be expected to report adversely on it. When the Rangitikei Bridge was being built the Alanawatn County Council tried to get it wide enough to take their tramway across. That was blocked by Palmerston and Feilding interests who feared that it would make it easier for tlie Levin-Marton deviation. Or. Roe said he felt very strongly that the Alassey Government was working the biggest blunder possible in agreeing to all that money to be spent in Palmerston N, Cr. Roc quoted statistics showing the large amount of freight carried over the present tramway on the LevinMarton route and said this would lie tremendously increased when greater shipping was available.* at Foxton. He considered the Palmerston deviation would play havoc with the business part of the town, and he trusted that when the deputation went to Wellington it would be the biggest deputation that ever went there.

“THE BUTTON-HOLES DID IT.” Cr. McAllister sgid it was refreshing to hear Cr. Roe condemning the Alassey Government, whieli he supported. The Minister for Railways, when at Palmerston, was understood to have said they did not want a deviation as there was plenty of room for railway purposes, yet the Minister and Cabinet had now agreed to the proposal. Everyone knew that strong political iniluence had been brought to bear to get this expenditure in Palmerston. Cr. Parker: It is the button-holes that have done it. Cr. Ale Allister thought that under the circumstances it was only a waste of time and money to oppose it. Cr. Parker said the deputation should be a large one and representing all parties. On the Alayor’s motion it was decided to heartily support the conference and deputation to Wellington.