MAIN RAILWAYS FIRST.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1920, Page 5

MAIN RAILWAYS FIRST.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. FEWER LINES; MORE SPEED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Questioned to-day as to what the future policy of his department would be in regard to railway construction, the Hon. Gordon Coatos said his idea was to push on with the completion of all main line 3 in accordance with their national importance. He could not say for the moment which were the most important lines, nor would ho make a public statement on the subject until he had drawn up his scheme and placed it before Cabinet. It would be for Cabinet to decide what cnun=e should be followed. All he could do was to make his recommendations, and if these were varied in any way, then the Government would be responsible. Instead of constructing a whole lot of lines throughout the country, his object was to lay down a well-defined system which would ensure the speedy completion of any lines taken in-hand. It would ho a-suicidal policy in follow tho system adopted by previous Governments, of starting lines in every little nook and enrner all over the country. His idea was that the main lines should be the first consideration of his department, and then others of lc=n importance comparatively would follow. Mr. Coates mentioned that the North Auckland Main Trunk is to ho pusliel on with all speed, his idea being to get it completed as quickly as possible.