Paeroa to Pokeno Railway Advocated

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 684, 8 June 1929, Page 5

Paeroa to Pokeno Railway Advocated

MINISTER’S TOUR STRONG CLAIMS MADE (THE SVS'S Special Reporter) PAEROA, Today. Along the route of the proposed Paeroa-Pokeno railway, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Railways, yesterday listened to the strongest advocacy of the line. While he conceded the justification for the move for a railway, Mr. Taverner explained that he was not in the position to promise. The line, he said, is to be considered fully by Cabinet, especially from a national aspect. A whole day was spent in tracing the route, which mainly follows the road over the plains, and hearing the claims brought forward by settlers and representative speakers. Actual observation was made at Pokeno, Waitakururu Dam, Ngatea, Kerepeehi and Paeroa. Apart from the representations made by many local body officials from the Bay of Plenty to Pokeno, members of Parliament belonging to the three parties advanced the claims of the settlers to the Hauraki Plains. Mr. Taverner said that inter-island parochialism should be forgotten in national questions, and this view was supported by other prominent speakers. Accompanying Mr. Taverner from Auckland were the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health; Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames; Mr. H. R. Jenkins, M.P. for Parnell; Mr. G. C. Munns, M.P. for Roskill; Mr. A. W. Hall, M.P. for Hauraki; and Mr. W. R. Davidson, assistant chief engineer for railways. The party was met at Pokeno by Mr. J. Woodcock, chairman of the Pokeno Chamber of Commerce; Mr. W. Marshall, Mayor of Paeroa; Mr. J. N. Massey, M.P. for Franklin; Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P. for Raglan; Mr. F. Perkins, for the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce; Mr. F. S. Dyson, district engineer for the Public Works, and Mr. A. P. Grant, local engineer. NGATEA'S VIEWS In a quick trip across the Plains, Mr. was shown railway station fites already pegged out. At Xgatea, he spoke to settlers. Mr. C. W. Harris, chairman of the Hauraki Plaiua County Council, and Mr. J. Da»iineton, for the local branch of the HBrmers’ Union, said that early completion of the line was wanted through the district. "I cannot help recognising the extraordinary fertility and potentialities of this plainland,” said Mr. Taverner. ‘I am surprised to know that there is unemployment in a district such as this, and I agree that settlement must he a foremost consideration. It seems that this proposal has a reasonable chance of competing with motor transport but the national aspect must be watched. At the moment I have not the railway in my pocket. All I can say is that there will be a complete and sympathetic hearing of the representations. As far as I am concerned, the settlers have a sympathetic view.” Proceeding through Kerepeehi to Paeroa, Mr. Taverner stated his astonishment at the growth of the district in 15 years from swampy wastes to farmland. Practically 100 met Mr. Taverner at Paeroa, and, at a complimentary luncheon arranged by the Paeroa Borough Council, Mr. C. E. MacMillan, M.P. for Tauranga, Mr. B. C. Robb ns, Mayor of Turanga, and Mr. W. Vallnutt. Mayor of Waihi, were an mg those at a meeting described by Mr. Marshall as the most representative

! meeting of public men in the Faeroa part of the Auckland province. Mr. Marshall said that the big rerresentation revealed the widespread favour of the proposal. COLLECTIVE DEMAND “Sir George Grey whe nhe gazed ; over the Hauraki Plains, said that they would once carry millions,” said Mr. ! Taverner. ‘Today, lam understanding the reasons for the prophecy. But ' the demand for railways is collective , and the utilisation, individual choice. “I want to remind the people that when facilities are provided I am bold enough to say they will be—they should support them.” ‘There should be no North Island against South feeling in national questions, what is more, although there has been adverse comment in I North over some proposals. Other ; districts have equal claims. The point j is that New Zealand’s production must be kept up and there must be settlement. There should be more understanding between farmers and industrial workers. “Cabinet will be asked to consider this railway at. no distant date.” Mr. Stallworthy regarded the railway not as a branch line, but as an essential part of the trunk system. As far as the project responded to economic tests, it would receive earnest consideration. He considered the Paeroa-Pokeno line to be right and necessary. No doubts concerning Government support were held by Mr. Hall, who said that transport -went hand in hand with settlement. AUCKLAND’S PROGRESS That the Coates Government would have done well by going on with the line was Mr. Massey’s opinion. “One cannot fail to recognise the progress of the Auckland province when official comparisons with other districts are read, he said. “This is the line to bring the Bay of Plenty "within easy distance of Auckland.” Support came from Mr. Lee Martin and Mr. Munns. Mr. Munns said that United Party, as far as Auckland was concerned, at least, was in favour of the line. He was its complete advocate. Mr. Jenkins said that he had urged the Prime Minister to construct the line as quickly as possible. This railway w*ould be a boon, not only to the settlers, but to their families,” said Mr. Samuel. “The Bay of Plenty, too, needs consideration. All great operations must be viewed from the national angle. If this railway is built, there can be no dissentient voice. I roundly condemned the previous administration—my own party—for not going on with this work.” Bay of Plenty’s claims were advanced by Mr. MacMillan and Mr. Robbins. Thousands of acres of pastoral country, they said, were awaiting development by railways. Mr. MacMillan said that he had not heard an argument against the construction of the line.