The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1920. A COMMENDABLE POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1920. A COMMENDABLE POLICY.

The intention of the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister for Public Works) to place before Cabinet a proposal that the policy of railway construction shall be to complete the most important lines before dealing with the minor undertakings, should commend itself to all who have the best interests of the Dominion at heart. It is such a sound, businesslike policy that it would seem impossible for Cabinet to turn it down, and yet there are grave fears that the courage necessary to put an end to the iniquitous custom of the past in making grants for public works on political, and not national, grounds will die hard. The present Government should be strong enough to make a new departure in railway construction policy, and to concentrate on the trunk lines, not only because they will be of the greater service ia the development of the resources of the Dominion, but for the reason that they are bound to prove an appreciable financial asset. The subsidiary lines that have been started, also thofce asked for, are only of local significance, and can at best begome feeders of the trunk systems. Admittedly they would be of service to the settlers concerned, but good roads would probably be more advantageous than costly branch lines which can well wait until the trunk railways have all been completed/The policy proposed by Mr. Coates, if acted on by Cabinet, would be a •potent factor in advancing the progress and welfare of the country. It will certainly be welcomed as an indication that the interests of justice and economy are being studied in a practical way. The present position with regard to finance creates a unique opportunity for the inauguration of this much needed reform, anvl affords the strongest reason for its adoption. TaranUki is particularly interested in the affirmation of the principal enunciated by Mr. Coates, for there is no trunk line under construction at, the present time on which concentration is so urgently needed 1 as on the Stratford-Okahukura railway. The completion of this line will afford relief to the main line of transit between Auckland and Wellington, and open up coalbearing areas, the yield from which is urgently required for industrial and domestic purposes. It will also be the means of produce over an extensive and highly productive area reaching the port of shipment, and the settlers will have the advantage of obtaining imported goods landed at their port—Moturoa. The main reason, however, is that the line will form an important part of the main trunk system of the North Island, and that it will be not only a great national asset, but is bound to be a factor in improving the railway revenue. Anyone who is conversant with business undertakings, and who possesses a knowledge of the producing power of the district served by this railway, would unhesitatingly describe it as a prime necessity and an excellent investment Under present circumstances to fritter away on small local lines the comparatively small amount of money available for railway construction is sheer madness. We have long and persistently urged the institution of a public works policy on economic principles, and the shortage of money strongly emphasises the wisdom of this course. It is difficult to conceive how the Government can consistently do other than endorse and act upon Mr. Coates'. proposal. The new conditions that now ex-

ist necessitate jettisoning antiquated and unsound methods of State policy that Have been j, brake on the country for years past.