RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 23 August 1907, Page 2

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

THE PREMIER FIRM. N.I. MAIN TRUNK TO BE FIN1SII10: I'lliHT.

Per Press Association.

Wellington, August 2i

Replying to ;i deputation from Mar borough, who urged the c'.aims of rui way connection between Hint provinc and Canterbury, ami particularly tli necessity of pushing on the line t Ward to keep faith with settlers wh hud taken up land, also the need fo i new wharf at Meton, the _ Premie mid the fiovernment recognised Uii; hie as a colonial work. He rcpcatci ;h:it the North Island Main Trunk line ivhicli hid to he completed, would tak i large portion of the money availabl or railway construction. Until this ine was finished it was really only reaming secondary benefits, and the Go'eminent could not make an exceptioi if any other line in the colony unti lie vails were linked up. Little n lothing would be spent on the Midland ,'nnnel this year, and the North Islam ilain Trunk would be out of the .va; text year. Every district that wantei ailwiiya could quote argument in favor if it. No district was in a singula losition. The Government could notpos ibly do nil it was asked unless it wen n for a loan of four or five million \ year. This would be a mad policy md would do an immense amount o larm to the country as a whole. 1\ money this year the Govorn ncnt would do its best. Its positim vas an exceedingly difficult one, mi intil the North Island Main Trunk lin fas out of the way, a large vote conh iot he given any line. Regarding the wharf, he said th }ovemment was at present considering he matter, and he hoped to be able tc iiake provision for a new structure this •ear. He would not definitely commit limaclf to anything.