THE LEVIN—MARTON DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2885, 19 May 1925, Page 3

THE LEVIN—MARTON DEVIATION.

QUESTION OF DIRECT POLITI-

CAL ACTION, v COUNTY COUNCIL NOT FAVOURABLE. At Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua 'County Council, tlie following notice of motion, was received from the Levin-Foxton-Mar-ton Railway League, who asked for the support of the Council, as a constituent body of the League, in the action outlined (says the Chronicle). “That this League is deeply disappointed to learn that it is the intention of the Government to waste a large sum of money at Palmerston North, in constructing a deviation line of railway. Also, the League considers that, the British Railway Commissioners did not have sufficient time at their disposal to. examine the merits of the Lcvin-Foxton-Marton Link Line, and respectively requests that this proposition be analysed by the Public Works Department and Railway Board, as simplifying the speedingup process of travelling, -by a saving of 1!) miles; and examined also from an economic point of view. Further, the League regrets that it does not possess any direct representation in Parliament from the Manawatn district, to oppose the contemplated waste of money at Palmerston North, and is impressed with the necessity of finding another candidate, who if successful will, in Parliament, take a statesmanlike view of this matter as being of national importance, thereby endeavouring to secure justice to the people.” The chairman (Cr. G. A. Monk) said that, speaking personally be was not prepared to interfere in anything that savoured of party polities, especially as tlie district covered by the Horowhenua County included two electorates. Members of the Council were entitled to their own personal views but for the Council as a body to support the present notice of motion would make it appear that the district was not satisfied with the representation of the local members of Parliament. He spoke personally only, but lie was against local bodies interfering in political affairs. Cr. Harkness urged that politics were so mixed up with County affairs in this matter that a contrary view should be taken. The expenditure at Palmerston North was unjustified, and as tlie people of the Horowhenua district would lie asked to contribute to this, they were naturally concerned in the matter and should do what they could to prevent it. He would advise concerted action in bringing the matter before the authorities. Palmerston North was being made an artificial centre; Marlon was made the right, place for a centre if one was necessary, and they should do what they could to prevent what would he a national mistake.

Cr. Ryder said that the proposed expenditure at Palmerston North was the most extravagant that had ever been proposed in New Zealand. The whole of the North Island would suffer owing to having the Levin-Alarton deviation refused, so that a few Palmerston North people might benefit. ' Tlie chairman said that they were all in accordance with the deviation, hut lie noticed that the councillors had avoided tlie political issue.

Cr. Barber asked if those who opposed the Palmerston North expenditure reckoned on the comeback money which the Government would collect from the land in the Square made available when the railway was shifted. Cr. Jensen opposed political action.

Cr. Harkeness said he admitted that the Council should keep out of politics, but it appeared that in this matter they had either to disassociate themselves with the Railway League movement to take political action. The League had come right up against politics and it was up to the Council whether they should, having put their hands to the plough, turn hack. The chairman: Do you suggest a new Government ?

. Or. .darkness: I do not say tliat. TJie chairman: That is what your suggestion amounts io. Cr. Broadbelt said that the League should be given all the suport possible, de felt that it had not had this in the past. At the same time he did not think that the (Jouneii should become mixed up in politics, in this question, the matter might be political, but it was not party political, and it wmuld be regretabie if it were made so. The deviation was one that concerned the whole country and should be treated on a national basis. The chairman said that if Lhe notice of motion as brought before the (Jouneii was adopted, it would be necesasry to lind a new candidate for the electorate. .Not only for one electorate indeed, but two, as the County was divided into two electorates, it must be remembered that this matter had not had the actual support of Lhe League but had merely been forwarded on to Lhe Council through the League. it was decided that the words after, “from an economic point of view" be deleted. As a result the motion would read as follows. “That the League is deeply disappointed to learn that it is the intention of the Government to waste a large sum of money at Palmerston .North, inconstructing a deviation line of railway. Also, the League considers that the British

Railway Commisioners did not have sufficient time at their disposal to examine the merits of the Lev-in-Foxton-Marton link fine, and respectively requests that this proposition he analysed by thg Public Works Department and Railway Board, ns simplifying the speedingup process of travelling, by a saving of 10 miles; and examined also from an economic point of view. ll was decided that in this form, the motion should receive the support of the Council.