LIGHT LINES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 83, 24 August 1912, Page 5

LIGHT LINES.

MINISTER DEPUTATTONISED. ALL A QUESTION OP MONEY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation representing the Palmerston North and Danuevirke Borough Councils and Chambers of Commerce, and the Pahiatua Borough Council and Progressive Association, waited on the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. W. Fraser) to-day to urge the necessity of constructing a number of light railway lines to act as feeders to the WellingtonNapier main line. Mr. J. H. Escott, member for Pahiatua, introduced the deputaiton, and Mr. G. Hunter, member for Waipawa, was also present. Mr. J. Osborne Lilly (Pahiatua) said that light feeder lines should be constructed at suitable points to open up the country lying to the eastward of the main line, ne suggested the construction of the following lines: Pahiatua to Pongaroa, via Makuri, 30 miles; Dannevirke to Weber, 20 miles; Eketahuna to Alfredton, 12 miles; Featherston to Martbborough, 12 miles; Masterton to Taureu, 12 miles. There, were many advantages to be derived 1 from these proposed feeder lines. The lines proposed would facilitate and economise the cost of carrying mails to and from the districts to be served. They would remove the heavy traffic from the roads between the centres and terminals of the proposed lines and would materially lessen the cost of metalling and maintenance. This would reduce the expenditure bv local bodies in the areas proposed to be served, and would reduce the demands for assistance from the Government. In the South Island there were between twe'nty and thirty branch lines, as compared with about six in the North Island. In reply, the Minister assured the deputation of his sympathy. He had longheld the view that branch lines in this country were not a luxury, but a necessity. He was satisfied, 'however, that such lines would never pay if the cost of construction was the same as for the main lines. For instance, the rails, could be much lighter, and that itemalone would mean a considerable reduction in cost. In Queensland light lines were constructed for £I2OO a mile. Of course, the conditions of construction there were much easier than in New Zealand. Light lines' were not looked \ upon with favor by many experts, and that had to be comhatted. He intended to travel throughout New Zealand in order to form some idea of what was needed. He believed that a number of light lines could be constructed which would pay handsomely. It was all a, question of money. New Zealand was not viewed too favorably by the Stock - Exchange just now. The recent large loan was costing New Zealand fully 5 per cent. That sort of thine had to be avoided. "He would carefully consider the representations made.