Back Block Settlers.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7923, 12 September 1905, Page 2

Back Block Settlers.

The Wflangaraomona Railway. Deputation from Stratford. Taaanakl Must Study its Own Interests

At the Chamber of Commerce meet* ing l *m Monday,/ the Chairman) sard members would have noticed that a difference of opinion existed relative to railway matters affecting the settlers between Stratford, and Whangamomona, and he explained the attitude taken up by the Council on the matter. He also intimated that a deputation from the Stratford Chamber would be present that evening, to confer with the Chamber on 'railway matters. Mr Fraser, referring to letters received from thel Auckland Hallway League, said the members of that league were not to be regarded ns| the business men of Auckland. Ho hoped the Cham)>er would have nothiag to do with the formation of, or co-operation with, any league. New Plymouth, he contended, should no longer be considered as a dumping ground for the goods of the •business people of other, towns, 'but must now bo regarded as a centre itself, Subsequently, a deputation from the Stratford Chaanibyr of Commerce, consisting cf Messrs Monkhouse and James, waited on the Chamber with a view to enlisting its assistance in obtaining the urgently needea railway for the Ohuru Road district. Mr James, after apologising for the unavoidable absence of the May-i or of Stratford, referred to the suggestions i of tho Auckland Railway League. He said tho rails were laid, and (rains ran to Oruru (Douglas Road), a •distance of 12 miles. The next section was to lluiroa, and on this some men were em-, ployed.- Before, however, the Whan-' ganioniona people could get the railway, it must come out from! the ' hills near Slrnthinorc. The present: line did not pay, but when extended' it would do so. At the present iatv of progress 'it woujd be years before the railway h , cachei| Strathmore. The

extension of the line would 'be of incalculable benefit to the settlors, as well as to all the towns in the district. The '.Taihapo length passed through similar country, and thriving townships .were established along that section. Tire Auckland Chamber proposed a monster petition of North Island public bodies, ami that a representative I deputation should wait on the Government. That Chamber, however, ' would naturally expect that the line should bo pushed forward from their end. Mr Monkhouso said the practical question was as to the best wuy of proceeding to attain the object 'in view.

Messrs 'P|aul and Samuel expressed a desire to hear the 'views of tho deputation on the from the Auckland League. Tire, latter said it seemed to him that' thu Auckland people, chiefly wanted 1 the main trunk liiro completed, but ho thought it was desirable, that Tarannki should concuutraU: its influence on advocating 'pushing railway communication to Whanga-j monionn. I

Mr Penn was of opinion that the interests- of Tarannki and Auckland wero directly opposed on railway matters, and that by assisting Auckland they would be robbing the Turanaki settlors of their birthright, Mr Kerr considered there was uo community of interest bet ween Auckland and Wellington. It would to idlo for tho Chamber to attempt tg cuiulM tho jiul'icy, of the Govern-

incnt. Thcro ■ was no stretch' of country in the colony so fertile ns that between Stratford ami Tanga- 1 rakau, and if it was a question as' to which lino should be first con- 1 strutted, there could be no doubt as to tho wisdom of pushing on the railway from Stratford to! Ongaruhc.

Mr Covctt considered that each district' should further its own inter-1 ests. Taranaki had a large back I country, and in time the settlers! would rccogniso that there was at harbour at New Plymouth which was' a boon to the district. He depreca-j ted forwarctfng, thf movement for a I through railway instead of a line tapping our own district. Mr Bayly said Parliament was in the mood for giving the railway facilities most needed for this dis* trict, especially as the. roajucsts were reaoonable.

Mr, James did not expect the Stratford line connected with Auck-, land in his life time ; but what was urgently needed was the completion of the line to AVbangamomona and beyond. If the Auckland people would assist this district, he was in favour of utilising their help, Mr Connett remarked that if Taranaki joined with Auckland in their proposals, then Taranaki would be overshadowed, and therefore it would bo hotter to work separately. Mn Hughes said that four years ago the Minister forVHWlways promised the line should be opened to Toko, and now the extension only reached six miles.

In reply to the) Chairman, Mr Monkhouso said tho Stratfcrd Chamber recognised that the interests of Auckland and Taranaki wcro not, identical, but it was thought ithat far greater effect could bo secured by working with Auckland than by standing alone. Union was strength, and as tho object .was to get as largo a veto as possible, the more influence brought to bear the bettenj Mr. Paul thought that a fair way to solve the question would be to get tho assistance of Auckland on condition that tho Taranaki needs wero first supplied aad then Taranake would 1 '. fa secure Kucßt land's needs. j

Mr Samuel considered Auckland would.- bo likely to JJcncnt itself rather than Taranaki, At tho same time, he did not think there need be any difficulty raised between Auckn land and Taranaki. What ,was wanted was that any money availablo should be used (or the Taranaki end, so that our long suffering ~~ settlers might bo benefited. He moved—That this Chamber thanks the deputation from the Stratford Chamber' for thß information afforded, and cordially agrees that in tho true interests of Taranaki every effort should bo made to complete the section between Oruru : and Huiakama without any avoidable delay, with the view of ultimate connection with Auckland ; but in the meantime to open up thfl rich country which will bo' thus brought into measurable distance of the railway—the settlers in which are at present unable to secure any, return for their labour and capital, and will be obliged to give up the struggle if no more effectual steps are taken for their relief than afl present seem 3 likely in view of the •slow progress hitherto made; that the Council be instructed to take tho subject into immediate consideration and to sparo no pains to assist the Stratford Chamber in the elforts it is making in this direction." The motion was seconded by Mr Paul.

Mr Fraser deprecated giving anj offence to Auckland, but would rather welcdmc their assistance to obtain Taranaki's needs.

Mr King said the Premier had admitted that land 'in the WhangamC' mona and Ohura districts should not have been thrown open without the provision of either a railway or a road, and had promised a largo vote this year. The .motion was ; carried unanimously. Tho Chairmaa addressing tho deputation, said tho Chamber was glad to have heard their views, and they might be assured of the hearty co-operation and assistance of the Chamber in the work of helping Stratford and the adjoining districts. After expressing their thanks, .the deputation withdrew*