OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1919, Page 4

OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

THE EXTENSION TO MOTUTtOA.

THE WORK REINSTATED. IMPORTANCE TO THE HARBOR. (By Wire.—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. The Railways Authorisation Bill was returned to the House this evening by Governor's message with the Opunalco railway restored to the schedule of authorised railways. Mr. Massey remarked, in answer to a question, that this was the Bill about which there had been some mistake —a clerical error.

Sir Joseph Ward said when the Bill was before the House originally the Opunake line was struck out because the Minister for Public Works said it had been put in by mistake. The Minister was not asked to cut out the line. He did it nn his own account. Now the Prime Minister wanted it re-inserted hecause there had been a clerical error. The Ministers could not both be right. Perhaps the honorable member for the district, Mr. Hine, could explain. Mr, Massey: He does not know. It was not decided in Cabinet to i?o on with this particular railway. There was a list submitted ,to Cabinet and Cabinet did not agree to go on with this line. By some means the wrong copy of the Bill -was sent to the Governor and when the Bill reached the House we found it contained this line, which we had not agreed should be included. It was struck out. The right thing was done and now it is included.

Sir Wm. Fraser said Cabinet had not authorised the line at first and it had rightly been struck out. Now Cabinet had agreed and it was inserted.

Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki): Why was it struck out in the first place? Mr. Young (Waikato): You had better stay quiet and he thankful you have got it. Mr. Massey: There were no Taranaki members in the House.

Mr. Smith: I take serious exception to that remark. At the time it was struck out I was attending a meeting of the Railway Committee. 'This line is wanted by all the people of the district. The people of Taranaki are raising money to build a harbor capable of receiving the largest steamers that come to New Zealand and this line will feed what will be one of the most important ports of New Zealand. Tt was a matter of great surprise to me that in the absence of the Taranaki members it was struck oht. The Prime Miinster Having remarked that no Taranaki member was present, should have said that the Taranaki Minister was awar electionwinsr. fWt.Mr'. Wilkinson was away in the South Island, and thati I was on the Railway Committee. The matter has been put ritrht now. ME. WILKINSON'S PLEA. In the afternoon Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) mentioned the Opunake railway which was struck off the authorised list in the House last week. Had not a promise been given. by Ihe Minister that the line would be authorised this session? If no promise had been mad® would the Minister for Public Works place on record that this line was absolutely necessary to connect up the railway system of Taranaki. and recommend that the authorisation should be made at the earliest possible moment. Sir William Fraser replied that a Minister could not authorise any line of railway. Parliament did that after Cabinet had prepared the authorisation list. Cabinet had not authorised the Opunake line. He himself, as Minister for Public Works, could not give any assurance regarding the line. Mr. Wilkinson: Will Cabinet reconsider the matter? Sir William Fraser: I cannot speak for Cabinet. Mr. Wilkinson: It was struck off when I was absent. Mr Massey: There was an error in connection with this line. It was before Cabinet. It was not Anally decided upon by Cabinet, and yet it found its way into the authorisation Bill in error. That was the reason for it heme struck out. In all probability it will come before Cabinet again before the snd of the session.