NON-STOP EXPRESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2860, 19 March 1925, Page 3

NON-STOP EXPRESS.

INDIGNATION IN LEVIN. STRONG PROTEST URGED. The new railway time-table has caused much indignation in Levin, and there is a feeling that a very strong and emphatic protest should bo made against the arbitrary withdrawal of privileges the town has enjoyed for the past twenty years (says the Chronicle). The Ministerial statement does not disclose any valid reason for eliminating such important towns as Levin —if we overlook the desire to give ferry boat an hour in which to obtain a meal in Wellington! In the interests of a comparatively few through passengers—comparative, that is, with the large number of travellers who do not make the complete journey—large centres of population have been most unjustly treated. The policy is but another manifestation of the desire to concentrate the population, commerce and industries of the country in the larger towns and cities, and to do so at the expense of the rights and convenience of the country dwellers. The adoption of measures tending to produce that effect invites the ?nost determined opposition, and from local expressions of opinion we gather that the eomii,unity’s resentment of such treatment will be forcibly expressed. It is felt locally that the Government cannot, have given full consideration to the aspect that the proposals will certainly drive the passenger traffic onto the roads per medium of the motor buses,, and this is a point that cannot'be too strongly emphasised. BOROUGH COUNCIL’S VIEWS At Monday night’s meeting of the Levin Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr Hobson) referred to the conference hastily convened with the Railway Board in Wellington, which he attended at short notice, and of which a full report had been pubiislied. He had expressed the opinion that Levin was important enough to demand that it remain a stopping place for the expresses, but In had agreed with the other delegates to ask for a five-stop run. He thought the Railway Board had given them a sympathetic reply yet they now saw by the paper that the Minister hud iixed a date for the new proposals to come, into force. The Chamber of Commerce and members for the district were still keeping the matter in view and the Mayor felt confident that they would still keep Levin on the map. Cr. Parker asked whether Min-’ isters would like to put their own •wives and baggage on the station ot Levin with the knowledge that they would have to chonge at Palmerston by themselves. The thing was ridiculous from that point alone and should be absolutely objected to. The Mayor said Mr Linklater was keeping his eye on the matter as was evident from his letter — Cr. Parker: I hope our two members will keep both their eyes on it. The Town Clerk said the Ministers’ letters said the objections wocld receive consideration. Cr. Parker: But in to-night’s paper the Minister has fixed on a date for it to come into force. Cr. Mortensen said, one effect would be to increase the cost of running. Cr. Clark: And drive the people in to the motor buses. The Foxlon Borough Cofiucil, at its last monthly meeting, decided to support Levin in their protest.