RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 254, 26 April 1912, Page 5

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

THE COUNTRY'S ULTIMATUM. STRAIGHT TALKING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. An important statement regarding railway construction was made by the Prime Minister to-day to a Waiuku deputation which waited on him and the Hon. A. Myers to urge the construction of a branch railway. Mr. Mackenzie said the matter of branch railway construction must be dealt with on definite lines of policy. The country at the last elections had raised a loud voice of protest against excessive public borrowing. The Ministry of which he was head intended to respect the wishes of the people in this connection. Regarding the claims of Auckland, he mentioned that this pro- i vince had come in for a good share of railway expenditure last year. "There are many parts of New Zealand," Mr. Mackenzie continued, ''which are far worse off for railway communication than Waiuku, and unless the country comes to a decision regarding the desirability for the construction of these branch railways, I don't think they will go on. At any rate, the question will be made a matter of policy for the Cabinet to consider. Mr. Mackenzie added: "I have no hesitation in saying that if the country is willing, I am quite prepared to borrow for the undertaking of public works of this nature. I am for progress, and so are my colleagues. (Hear, hear.) I quite agree with the spirit of economy, but where a country is progressing at the rate New Zealand is it is essential to maintain a borrowing policy. The financial position of the country is good, and I shall be glad indeed to go into the matter of branch railway construction with the Cabinet." {Hear, hear.)'