WEST COAST NEEDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1919, Page 4

WEST COAST NEEDS.

THE BULLER RAILWAY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, Last NightA conference of the Buller and Esfton Railway League was held in Westport to-day, when strong exception was taken to the delay in the completion I of the construction of the Buller Gorge railway. The Reefton members pointed out that timber and coal were being taken out of the Inangahua and Buller valleys and dragged up over the saddle to Reefton, thence to Greymoutt, whereas they could, if the railway were completed, be much more easily and cheaply brought to Westport, the natural outlet, as there is a gradual down grade to this port. It was also pointed out that the railway would enable freezing works to be established at Westport to handle surplus stock, which at present had to bo taken over the Otfra to Christchurch. The members of the league blamed the Government for the present shortage of coal, due in a large measure to failure to complete the Buller Gorge line and enable its immense coalfield there to be developed. It was suggested by a member of the league that if the Government, instead of paying large Bums of money in importing coal, were to provide free passages for a thousand married miners and families from the Old Country and see that proper housing conditions were provided there would be no coal shortage I in New Zealand.