LEVIN MARTON RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2801, 23 October 1924, Page 2

LEVIN MARTON RAILWAY.

i, T<> Tlii; Editor.) ; •'sir, —As 11 if absence of any reference of inio to tho attitude a<lop i(d by ilic Levin Chamber of Commerce towards the railway campaign. may have created a wrong bnpression in the minds of some of your readers, l would like a few facts to be noted. At the time your editorial appeared commenting upon what appeared to some folks to be neglect on the part of the member for the district, T had, as president, expressed myself in the following terms: “That the member for Mannwatn has intimated that he is not prepared to accept the Minister's statement as the last word on the subject, and Messrs Field and Glenn are alive to the situation, encourages the hope that a fight will be put it ll for the inclusion of this alternative proposition in the order of reference of I lie Commission.” I had wished the statement to appear in Fox I on as a message to League supporters, but in the interim Mayor Ohrystail and President’ Christie ((.'handier of Commerce) had moved, having the loyal support of the bodies of which they were the head. Then the Mayor of Levin and Borough Council followed suit—proceedings reported in tlie Herald. A second Chamber statement became expedient this indicating that wo had been prepared for action in terms of the declaration adopted at the annual meeting. In this contribution. to the “Chronicle,” on the 10th it was made plain that a non-party campaign jvas desired, and a Government survey and report. m>t a private one, as had been mooted at a Fox ton meeting. For informative reasons this also wen; forward to the Herald.

The County Council then entered its protesi in no uncertain terms as concerning the Palmerston scheme, the chairman being especially <-m----jihaiie: extracts from this discussion in dm- course appearing in your columns. The Chronicle in reporting the deputation prneeedings mentioned a phase absent from your report, viz., “ihar in his absence rhe president of the Levin Chamber forwarded a full and comprehensive stoiemcnr aiieni tlie situation." Several points were incidentally noted. Having been appointed to the sub- committee set up in 1021 by the Chamber to examine and report on the railway question, and watchful ever since on this score 1 may claim r,, lie genuinely interested, and out lor facts. 1 think yon will agree i hat criticism of the Railv/iiv Policy does not of

heccssi t \ mean that a panGan attack is being made on the Government, nor defence of the policy necessarily involve partisanship. All tlie members of the (‘lumber, also Messrs Held and Linklater, will agree that my influence has always been low aid keeping them .helpfully informed as to district objectives, and courtesy aever lacking. The same principle has applied to overtures to the Government —particularly as concerning Imperial matters, support as to defence and trade being notable.

Alt In my iilness.has been Munewlmi si'vciv in diameter T li;ivo during the m<»nt h kept Hie Chamber in loud) with movement ami incidentally been in communication will) tin 1 Chambers secretr,i v, and indirectly the League's leaders, almost, daily. May 1 add as evidence of alertness that although yet not personally able to face meetings wth case I recommended on Friday last that Mr Malheson, my associate on the League, arrange for Exec aI vr meetings forthwith, but in the interim action bad been taken in f oxton. As with the campaign, so with lhis*"explanation, it has been conceived more in sorrow than anger! Thanking you for the favour of your space, —I am etc., A. C. HOLM Id