RAILWAY POLICY.

Shannon News, 10 March 1925, Page 3

RAILWAY POLICY.

SHANNON COUNCIL’S ATTITUDE. A special meeting of the Borough Council vvas held un Friday evening to discuss the telegram received from 'Mi' YV. H. Field, M.P., relative to the proposed conlerence of representatives from the Manawatu Line ' with thq Railway Board at Wellington to discuss the proposed railway timetable, particularly to avoid inconvenience through non-stop mail . trams and asking tile Council. to he represented. Present; The Mayor (Mr Mur doch) and Crs. Gunning,' Butt, Curran and Hyde. The Mayor said he was sorry there were not more present as the people who grumbled most were generally absent and if (he had not called file meeting it would have been stated the Council were neglecting the interests of the town. Be then outlined the proposal of the Railway Department, which was to run. non-stop ' mail trains and add a special passenger train, he understood, to run ahead, and act as a feeder. He said a section ol the public wanted these trains speeded up, while there were places clamouring for more stops so that their towns can become centralised.

Cr. Hyde said there was no denying the fact that* a non-stop run would be of great benefit to through passengers, but he emphasised the agitation at Levin for mail trains to stop there and he pointed but that as Shannon was an intermediate station they did not want to be crowded out. He said if a mixed train was put on as a feeder it would force the public into using the motor buses.

Cr. Gunning: Is it going to be a mixed train of is it going to be a speilcled'-up passenger train? There is no doubt speeding up is desirable. But he thought, if the public were given a fast train, the alteration would not act very injuriously upon Shannon. “If we are the only one to be cult out, then we will have to fight at for ail we are worth.” The Mayor; If any st'ops are to be cut out it should, he’ done as a whole not as a part. The Government should debar centralisation. In New Zealand we do hot see ihe evil of centralisation as it is in some of the Australian States. So long as we are all treated alike.it will he airighfi but we must; protest vigorously if we are not to get the same privileges as other placm. It was then agreed that the Mayor represent Shannon at the conference at Wellington on Monday.