The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1914. ONE VOICE—NOT SEVERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 221, 18 March 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1914. ONE VOICE—NOT SEVERAL.

We think Mr. Wilkinson was right wlicn during the discussion of the Opnnake railway question at the Harbor Hoard meeting on Monday he discountenanced the introduction Jn a resolution put before the Hoard of the battle of routes, There is absolutely no necessity for dragging in the rival claims. South Taranaki has been promised connection with Opunake at an early date. Let us do nothing to interfere with ot all'ect the district from getting what it lias been justified in expecting.for years past. For ourselves, we believe the • Stratford route to be in every way desirable from a national as well as a j provincial point of view, but the deciding of the route must be left to the | responsible officers of the State. To recommence wrangling over the question I of routes will only result in further hanging up the construction of a railway that should years ago have been running, and since earning profits for the State and saving settlers thousands of pounds annually. In the matter of railway development Taranaki should pull together, bearing in mind always that what benefits one part must necessarily benefit the whole. The fact that we have not been a united people in this and many other matters is the reason for the scant attention the province has received at the hands of the several Administrations, who really cannot be blamed for passing over our legitimate claims when they have seen the people pulling one against the other and disagreeing upon essentials. With much of what Mr. Hughes Btated in support of the proposed Moturoa-Opunakc railway we are in accord, but we are not at all sure that it is wise to depend upon the Government authorising and building the line. We prefer, as we have said on previous occasions, the Government to provide machinery whereby the district can undertake the work itself. Then we would know where we were, and make our plans accordingly. In sheer self-defence, the district will be obliged to put the Ira Hie on rails in the near future, and a light railway appears to be the only solution of the problem. The Act resuscitated and patched up last session is quite inadequate for the purpose. A new measure altogether to suit the special conditions obtaining is required, and we hope this will be forthcoming and pui, through the House during the coming session. This should be unanimously and strongly supported by the wnole of the people of Taranaki, and doubtless will.be if the matter is only placed be fore lliem in the proper light. Taranaki should get "the habit of speaking with the one united voice; not with several discordant voices. Then attention may be given to manifest needs like tlie southern and northern district railways.