“PAYING PROPOSITION”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 712, 11 July 1929, Page 1

“PAYING PROPOSITION”

TANEATUA-OPOTIKI LINE CHAMPIONED DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE Arguments in favour of tlie construction of the Taneatua-Opotfki section of the East Coast Main Trunk railway were presented yesterday at the Auckland provincial conference of chambers of commerce. The discussion began through the presentation of a remit from the Opotiki Chamber by Mr. W. J. Scott. The remit stated that although the PaeroaPokeno deviation was a necessary adjunct of the East Coast line, the completion of the line to Opotiki was of first importance. Mr. Scott maintained that the extension would be a paying proposition, and although the East Coast railway was not yet paying interest on sinking fund, experts were surprised to see how well it was doing. If the right methods were used by the Railway Department the line would be paying well. The extension required only 25 miles of track, but it would open up rich country extending 100 miles beyond Opotiki. Mr. F. A. Hellaby (Auckland) said the Auckland Chamber of Commerce had contested the action of the Government in joining gaps in the railway system in other parts of New Zealand, and it was no use building lines unless they were certain paying propositions. Mr. B. C. Robbins (Tauranga) said that his chamber wanted the PaeroaPokeno section as much as anyone, but if the Opotiki section was constructed first the inevitable increase in traffic would automatically push on the Pokeno deviation. As there was a difference of opinion concerning the framing of the motion it was decided that the wording be left over until today when diecussior would be resumed.