POLITICAL ACTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2890, 30 May 1925, Page 2

POLITICAL ACTION.

OBJECTED TO BY CHADIBER OF COMMERCE. THE LEVIN-DfARTON RAILWAY LINK. At the last meeting of the LevinMarton Railway League a motion was brought forward seeking to bring political pressure to bear in the furtherance of the League’s objective. The delegates, as representing various local bodies considered they needed the authority of their councils before giving their support to such a proposal, and accordingly tin l matter was submitted to each local body for an opinion. The motion, which came before the Foxton Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night was as follows: — “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 constructng 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 Lev-in-Foxton-Marten Link Line, and respectfully requests that ths proposition he analysed by the Public Works Department and 'Railway Board, as simplifying the speedingup process of travelling, by a saving of 19 miles and examined also from an economic point of view. Further, the League regrets that it does not possess any direct represensation in Parliament from the Dfanawatu 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.” Mr D. R. Barron strongly opposed the political reference embodied in the motion and moved that the motion be supported provided such reference was deleted. Mr Chrystall moved an amendment that the minion he supported as it stood. In doing so he said ‘that they would never get •anywhere miles- they used polities. The Levin-Mart on Railway League would he useless without a political aspect. One of arguments in favour of the League was that the link would save a blunder at Pa - merston North. The present representation was of no use to them. The member for the district virtually opposed the proposed link and supported the Palmerston North deviation. Under such circumstances he asked what chance the League had. The link line scheme was of vital importance to 30 per cent of the people of the Dominion. If the present Government would not put it through they would have to place their request in the handsof a Government that will consider the needs of the Dominion and to do that they had to get a representative that would give them justice. The President endorsed Dir Chrystall'.- remarks. Dir Winstauley also spoke in support of the amendment. Dl.r McMurray said the only way to overcome the difficulty was by going to the Government and asking that the electoral boundaries he altered. Mr Mason asked if the Chamber of Commerce was a non-politicol body and on being informed that such was the case said that political discussion was out of order. He then seconded the motion. '•■The amendment was put and lost, and the motion curried.