POKENO-PAEROA LINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 965, 7 May 1930, Page 10

POKENO-PAEROA LINE

REPORT BEING OBTAINED FRANKLIN BUSINESSMEN MEET PAPAKURA, Today. Tlie eighth half-yearly conference of Chambers of Commerce in the Franklin district was held today. Mr. H. E. McEntee, president of the Papakura Chamber of Commerce, presided. Waiuku, Pukekohe and Pokeno chambers were also represented. At the opening of the conference, the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, gave a short address dealing with the various remits. He announced that a thorough investigation was being made to decide the best route for the Pokeno —Paeroa railway, and said he had given instructions that a comprehensive report setting out the results of the investigation should be lodged with him before, or early in, next session. The way was thus being paved for deciding further action. The Minister said that last year the Highways Board expended over £2,000,000 on road maintenance and construction. This was the largest expenditure in the board’s history and he felt the increase would continue, and that the time.had come when users of roads should bear a more equitable share of the burden of road costs. He hoped to be in a position to submit to the next session of Parliament proposals for a still greater responsibility by the Highways Board, especially in tho case of highways through ridings. Remits carried by the conference were: "That the Minister of Railways be urged to reduce passenger fares on railways with a view to more favourable • competition with road transport.”

"That the Government be urged to proceed with the Pokeno-Paeroa railway.”

"That the Railway Department be asked to run the 12.30 p.m. PukekoheAuckland train to time.”