STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt mention.) STRATFORD—MAIN TRUNK LINE. Stratford, Feb. 25. A meeting of representatives of local bodies convened by the Stratford Borough Council was held in the Municipal Chambers this afternoon to consider the question of organising so as to urge on the Government the necessity of completing the Stratford—Okahukura line. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presided, and there were present: Messrs. D. J. Kalone, W. McDonald, J. H. Thompson, C. B. Walsh (Stratford Borough Councillors), J. B. Richards (Chamber of Commerce), W. A. MeCutcheon (Whangamomona), J. McCluggage (Land Board), W. P. Itirkwood and the town clerk (Mr. P. Skoglund). The Mayor expressed disappointment at the small attendance on such an important subject. After concentrating on the needs of the war, during which thej work was very nearly stopped, the time had now arrived when the people of Taranaki should combine to endeavor to have the work completed as speedily as possible. This was important, not only to Stratford, but to the whole of Taranaki, especially when in the near future they would have a deep-sea port at New Plymouth. At the same time, as the matter affected the trade of Auckland and Wellington, directly and indirectly, they Bhould seek to obtain the co-operation of Wellington, as that city did the bulk of Taran aid's trade. The excuse of tlis Minister of Public Works was that labor was not available. No doubt there was a shortage, but an attempt should be made to secure the necessary labor. This could be done to a large extent by advertising for it, as the Stratford Borough Council had proved. Railway construction work would suit many returned soldiers, and it was it|> to the Government to make the work and the living conditions of the men as attractive and comfortable as possible. He asked for expressions of opinion in regard to organisation throughout Taranaki with a view to getting the line pushed on. Mr. Kirkwood thought the Mayor deserved the thanks of the district for bringing the matter forward. They heard p. good deal about the "go-slow" policy of the labor people, and there was no doubt that the same could be applied to the Government in the past regarding this railway. The shortage of labor could be got over to a large extent, and he instanced a case up north where the people had advertised and got one hundred men, whom the Government had put on. He would advise that the same system should be adopted here, and they would then let the Government see that) there was labor available. Of the 110 mile 3 between Stratford and Okahukura, 50 miles at this end was completed, and 20 miles at the other end was formed, leaving 40 yet to be done, and this should not take long if the Government was serious. With an election forthcoming there was no doubt that if they agitated they would get promises, but they must see that those promises were kept. He referred to the attitude of the Auckland pepole, who had asked that the work should be stopped this end, and the whole of the men and material transferred to the other end in order to push the work on from that end. That attitude was a wrong one, and savored of the dog in the manger. He did not want to see this end pushed on to the detriment of the other end, or to draw the trade. His desire was to have the line junctioned up as soon as possible, and to have the work pushed on and not retarded. He. agreed that they might enlist the help of the Wellington people, but the people most . vitally concerned were the people of this ' district, so that all local bodies should unite in urging that the line be com- ' pleted as early as possible. 1 Mr| McCutchan stated that the Wha- < ngamomona Settlers' Association had ! been formed to bring forward the various ' requirements of the district, the chief of which was the completion of this line, i He noticed that the Auckland Railway ; League had reinstated that line on the < list of works of first importance. Per- i eonally, he thought the line through the i Bay of Plenty, on account of the nature j of the country, should come first, and . the Stratford line be the next in import- j ance. This line should be completed from both ends. He strongly opposed the co- j operative system, which he had had the j opportunity of studying for 2o years. and thought that now that they were on the eve of an election they should unite , in demanding its abolition and the substitution of the small contract system. No section of the community would back j them up more in getting rid of the co- 1 operative system than the working men. Small contracts should be substituted, of 1 which the men should get all the benefit, ' and no limit should be placed on their earning power. The Wlmngamomona As- ' sociation had invited the Ministers of ! Lands and Public Works to visit their '• district together, as both roads and : lands were so intimately connected, and : he hoped they would be there in three f weeks' time, and the Settlers' Associu- i tion was organising in such a way as i to attract public attention throughout 1 New Zealand to their requirements. 11 < was no use building railways unless they attended to the business of the country, , and the way they were run at present ] was simply scandalous. He instanced a , case where five men were detained two , and a half hours loading cattle, which ' two men should have done in half an j hour, owing to the trucks being left in • the wrong position. There were immei- ; ous similar instances. It had been said ; •that railways were not expected to pay 1 dividends, but merely small interest on the expenditure, and any balance would be used for further development. This was sound policy, but did not appear to be the present policy. The settlers, how- ; ever, would speak out when the Ministers visited their district, as many of the ; promises made to settlers when they went on the land over twenty years ago ' had not been fulfilled. They would, he ; said, be faced with stupendous competi- : tion after the war, and they must make every effort to meet it. There must be ' no blundering and no mistakes. A radi- 1 cat change must take place. Things must 1 be rectified and brought up to date, and the powers that be must be told so. The settlers in the bac-kblocks wanted their assistance, and, he was sure, would get it. Mr. Richards said that the importance of the railway must be apparent to everyone there. There was, lie I'muglit. grave danger of delay at Tahora. and this t did not suit Taranaki or any of j!u. dis- , triet to be served by the railway. A , statement by Sir William seemed ■ to indicate this, but in 'n • p ro . test by the Chamber o' <• the Minister stated that he 1'- • n, 't that ' Tahora would be the ten---- tor some 1 considerable time—not that the work 1 should cease. Touching on the scarcity of 1 labor, Mr. Richards stated that the 1 casualties in the war had resulted in 16,000 men's labor being lost to the country, and there must be another 16,000 in- ' | capacitated. They must (w in for a pol- 1

icy of immigration. Possibly they might get some labor by advertising, and if they did the Minister's most valid reason for not going ahead with the Stratford line would be overcome. He considered that unless strong representatives were made there was very grave danger that the Stratford—Okahukura railway construction this end would rest at Tahora. It was only right that reasonable facilities should be given settlers to get their produce to the harbor at New Plymouth, but he did not think they had any need to ask the assistance of e'ther Auckland i or Wellington, as there was sufficient power in Taranaki, if organised, to force the hand of the Government. He would , like to see the whole of North Taranaki , united in the matter, which was of very great importance to New Plymouth, which he would like to see come in whole-heartedly. South Taranaki also was interested, as there were coal supt plies along the railway route that should . be made available for the people of Taranaki. I Mr- D. •!. Malone suggested that a ( committee should be set up to organise ft meeting fully representative of all the . local bodies in Taranaki. He suggested that the Minister of Railways should be | asked to attend. , McCluggage favored the meeting , being held at Whangaiuomona at the time the Ministers of Lands and Public Works visited the district. He considerthat there was every probability of ( this end being sidetracked as it would be noticed that the Minister of Public ; Works had promised to put 150 men on tba,t end. If the Minister made the cont ditions attractive he could get men, but he would not get men for 12s when others . were paying 14s ,nd His. , Mr. McCntclir... Si >.id that if the Public Works paid a decent wage they would get men and the work would be done cheaper in the end. . On the motion of Messrs. D. J. Malone ; and Walsh it was resolved to form a committee, consisting of Messrs. J B ; Richards, W. P. Kirkwood, D. J. Malone] yV. A. McCutchan and the Mayor, with power to add. A vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the meeting. GENERAL. Among those injured in the recent hotel lire were Mr. and Mrs. P. W, Jones of tliis district. Their many friends here will he pleased to know that Mr and Mrs I'. Kovalsici, of Tuna, parents of Mrs. Jones, have received a letter stating that the bums received by the young couple are fortunately serious. Speaking at Stratford to-day, Mr. W. A. McCutchan said that the'Whangamomona Settlers' Association had invited the Ministers of Lauds and of Public Works to spend three days in their district. If they were only coming to Whangamomona, he said, "they might as well stay in Wellington. The settlers were desirous of taking them about the district and showing them the conditions under which the settlers had lived, and in many cases reared large families, having been in the district over twenty years and still having only a three-feet, track. Even then, ho added, the Ministers v.ouid get no idea of the winter conditions. In the juvenile judging competition a fourth prize was awarded, the successful lad being A. Papps. Mi. E. Stevens, superintendent of the A.M.P. Industrial Department for Tar.. - ; naki, is leaving Stratford for Palmerst,.. I North. ' The death occurred at Oliakune on Sunday of Mr. A. F. Wilson, who was stationed here as Fields Inspector under the Agricultural Department for some time, and| was highly esteemed by all. Deceased had been ill for the past few months, following on ail attack of influenza. He is survived by a widow and three children, who will have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in their 1 bereavement. i A commencement was made with the ' laving of the tar-macadam in Broadway ' this morning. It is expected that the 1 central Block between Regan and Fenton 1 streets will be completed withm six weeks. i Mr. and Mrs. J. Hignett had a very : narrow escape from a serious accident yesterday. Whilst motoring on the Car- 1 diff Road the steering gear failed, but, ' fortunately, the car ran into a fence < which proved strong enough to "stand ' the strain. Mrs. Hignett was thrown ' against the wind screen, but escaped in- 1 jury. The district oflicers of the 1.0.0. F., ( M.U., paid their annual visit to Lodges ' Excelsior and Egmont, New Plymouth, to-night. The party which motored ' through from here included ft.G.M, Bro. ' Spragg (Hawera), I.P.G.M. Bro. Uwson (Stratford), cor. sec. G. Papps (Eltham). | and several sisters and brethren from 1 Stratford and Eltham. < The People's Auctioneering Company ] notify in this issue that they are opening up 011 Saturday next in Norcross Garage, Broadway. These premises are centrallv ; situated, commodious, and ideally suit- 1 able for the purpose for which they ' are intended, namely, auction rooms and ' truit mart. Sales of poultry, produce, , fruit, and sundries will be 'held every ' Saturday and Tuesday, commencing on ' Saturday, and this department- will b.> , under the direct control of Mr. Bert Sturm as auctioneer, who will also con- ! duct furniture and clearing sales in any part of the district. The retail and , wholesale fruit department, which has been such a feature of the business, wili ■ also be removed to these commodious ' premises, and will be under the direct , supervision of a man with considerable . experience of the trade in the Hawico's j La} district. The linn invites entries fiom clients for their opening sale on Saturday. In Broadway there is a shop that is always attractive. Goods are displayed in a tasteful manner, the qualitv is of , the and the prices lowest 'on the mp.-xet.. This combination is hard to beat and is Ihe secret of the great sue- ! cess attained by Mr. C. E. .lames. This is no wild statement but a fact. Just , now he is offering a wide range of ladies' handbags that are exceptionally good value, whilst his crockery anil antimony ware is worthy of particular notice.—Advt. i