SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 103, 9 August 1910, Page 5

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. REQUEST FOR LARGE EXPENDITURE. /• ___ By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. A -large deputation representing the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Marlborough Land and Railway League, and various local bodies interested, waited on the Prime Minister this morning to urge upon him the necessity for the early completion of the unfiished portion of the South Tsland Mam Trunk line. The deputation was introduce! by Messrs. Forbes and Dii!V\<!i, . v .?.'- and a number of. members were pres-nit. Sir Josijih Ward, in i-.'plyin,a. said that he recognised the in'h'cuthil e: ara. trr that the lowest estimate for the amstruction of the line was £1.3(111,000, nut in all probability the work would cost £1.000.000. This meant asking for a sunn of fi-KW.OOO a year. This it was impossible to "rant unless the. country decided to borrow to -'ii oyte'-.t. that would be imprudent, or to ~t::\> lines already in course of construction. The deputation had ro-ori'S'd f ii" ''iymv must be limitation of borrowing .or :.iilways. He would prefer to see the line finished in twelve months for b-.isMiessi reasons, so that it could '-o made re-1 productive. Government was. however J pressed on all sides bv demands for rail-1 ways, w!iic'.: if acceded to, would mean! borrowing ten millions u year. Another] •matter that had to he borne h\ mind] was the nc.-essily f„v acquiring 1.-iiidj a'ong the route before the comph>po:i| of the line, otherwise the value m pro"' perty would be enhanced, tln-vbv adding to the burden of futi.re settlers. Tie pointed out that Government had. €2,200,000 to spend on public works to meet demands, which would run into €12,000.000. Last year the vote for the South Island line had been I'-Ifi.ono. and SfiO.SdO had been expend, d. lie Vm no objection to the proco-cd change oi' name. Full eonsalemtion wor.'d !)•■.-u.-en to the representations of the. deputation when allocations were being made. Me would refer Dr. Redman's request ,or a! further vote on account of Picton ; v wharves to the Minister of Railwuvs.