TO SHIFT OR NOT?

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 379, 10 March 1937, Page 4

TO SHIFT OR NOT?

RAILWAY STATION Burning Question Before Chamber of Commerce. Though no action wte taken:, the Executive of the Chamber of Commerce again discussed the question of the 'possible removal of the Stratford railway station at last night’s meeting. Membore generally agreed with the president, Mr F. T. Hale, that until the Mayor had been advised as to what steps the Railway Department was taking, thei Chamber could not move in the matter. Dt had offered, its co-operation with the Council «nd there the matter must remain. Mr J. B. Richards, agreeing with such a policy, considered that it was the function of the Chamber to assist the Borough Council where possible, and as that body wae the recognised oultlet. of public opinion, it was not for the Chamber to work at crosspurposes with it. , Mr Hale: I suppose we cannot igain anything further from expressing our views on the subject as discussed in the leading article of to-night’s ‘Ce.ntral Press.!” Mr Richards: People who think dif ferenltly have, of course, every rigt; to their own opinions. Mr Hale: The new move discussed in that article is a big one, but I feel all the Chamber can do is to watch the potitibn. Mr Richards: We can hardly take it upon ourselves to dictate on the matter. We can only lead opinions and give good reasons for them. There is, however, some force in what the Mayor hae said, that there is nothing official at the moment, all is talk. When the matter was discussed some years ago, there Was a definite proposal from the Department to shift the station to the Warwick Road site. At the moment nothing is definite.

In the opinion of Mr D. R. McUfian. as the whole problem was pritnanlv an engineering one, it should be left to the Railway Department. Mr ‘Richards: At the same time, while the actual work- must b- left to the engineers, there are some things bn which the public have every right to be consulted. 1 feel that this is a long tov'n already and any closing of streets would only aggravate that.

No -motion wac passed as thchamber felt it could do no more a present.