RAILING THE COAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 228, 14 February 1913, Page 4

RAILING THE COAST.

11. is more than ever clear thut if wo are to have railway (-oiiununifiitioff between the Opimako district ami the Port of Motnroa we shall have to help ourselves. .Mr. A. A. .lohiistone, president of the Railway League, made out a very strong case for building the line when the somewhat hastily assembled deputation met the Minister for Railways the other day. but Mr. Uerrics, though obviously convinced of the need for the line and of its payableness from the start, held out) no hope that the Government, with so many other lines to complete, and others authorised, could do anything in the, immediate future. He showed that the Te Roti-Opunako section of the line, being authorised, would be given prior consideration. We expected no oilier reply. In regard to the broader question of allowing the distiict to build the line itself the Minister was certainly not unfavorable. As a matter of fact. Mr. Herries, ov any other member of the Cabinet, could 1 not consistently oppose a proposal that they themselves had persistently advocated during the many years they were in the cool shades of Opposition. We hope the League will now go forward with the district railways scheme, and drop altogether the idea of persuading the Government to include the line in their building programme. Tf there were anv chance of success in this direction it might he worth while bringing pressure to bear upon the Government in season mid out of season, but it is no use blinding our eyes to the fact that unless we care to wait until the second and third generation there will be no railway so long as we depend upon the Government for its construction. Let the district railways scheme be carefully worked out and laid before Cabinet, with a request that they take it up as a policy measure. If Ministers are sincere in their professions, they will not hesitate to grant the necessary power. Tins onee granted, we have no doubt as to the support forthcoming. The settlers of the district would not have the slightest hesitation in pledging their lands as security for a loan large enough to construct and equip the railway. They are now face to face with the proposition of re-making the whole length of the road, which, we are told, cannot be (lone at less than £2OOO a mile, or practically £BO,OOO for the whole distance. It would cost very little more to linild and equip a light railway. We hope the Railway League will concentrate their attention on this question, formulate a scheme, and lose no time in approaching the Government, To make requests to the Government I to take up the work under existing circumstances is a sheer waste of effort, and time.