RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1919, Page 7

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

THE STRATFORD MAIN TRUNK. The need for pushing on the Stratford —Okahukura railway was emphasised at Wliangamomona on Tuesday. Mr J. W. McMillan, Mayor of Stratford, said it was time New Zealand should adopt advanced methods of road and railway construction on lines adopted by America. He wa9 much struck with the policy of assisted emigration. Mr. J B. Richards said that Taranaki regarded Ohura as part of its territory, and the construction of the railway would be of incalculable benefit to that district. Now that the war was over they looked for the resumption of work on the line, at least at the rate of progress that obtained before the war, and hoped that would be improved on. The Government must grapple with the problem of shortage of labor, otherwise there would be stagnation on this line —the most important to the province and the Dominion. He pointed out that the New Plymouth Harbor Board had adopted a progressive policy, which they were asking the district to endorse and the Government should assist, by putting the railway through, so that the people could get their produce to that harbor at a minimum of cost and delay Mr. F. S. Johns (president of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce) considered the matter was not a selfish ore, but of vital importance to the whole .Dominion. Production must be stimulated in order that the heavy cost of the war might be met, and this could only be done by a progressive policy of roading and roaa construction.

Mr. J. A. Quin emphasised the vital importance of pushing the line through. As chairman of the Taranaki Farmers' Freezing Company, he recognised that the roads, railway and port were all locked together. His company drew considerable sheep from the Ohura, and the loss occasioned by the length of time it took to get them to the works represented considerable loss to the Dominion. He considered that the Government's policy of limiting wages to 12s would not induce capable men to go to public works. With the present value of a sovereign this Was only eqiial to 8s per day, and they could not get the best labor to accept 12s per day when private employers htftl to pay 2s per hour, and in some cases run the men out by motor car. The Minister of Public Works replied on the same lines s.s at Stratford, adding that it would not be his fault if there was any unnecessary delay If he thought that he eould get the work done by letting contracts, at a reasonable price, he would be pleased to do so.