ISOLATED FROM THE NORTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1920, Page 5

ISOLATED FROM THE NORTH.

NECESSITY FOR STRATFORD MAIM TRUNK. "MOST IMPORTANT LINE." In referring to the necessity of speeding up the construction of the StratfordOkahukura railway, Mr. A. Goldwater, at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last night, said that, with the exception of the journey )'ia Marton by rail, New Plymouth was isolated from the Auckland provincial district by land.

A move must be made for a connection over a shorter route, and there were two ways open, one a road by way of Mokau, and the other by rail by way of Stratford. "In my younger days," said Mr. Goldwater, "I remember the turning of the first sod of this railway—but since then I have become old and grey—and i; is high time this line should be completed. Pressure should be brought to bear upon the Minister of Public Works for its early completion, and that it must De considered as one of the lines of most importance in New Zealand. Taranaki as a. whole should voice the matter and give no rest until it is done, and that in a short period. Some vim should be put into the work, and that work done with modern machinery. The completion of this piece of railway must give this town an impetus and at ,the same time assist the New Plymouth Harbor Board in their efforts."

Mr. T. C. List said that they should do everything in their power to support the rest of Taranaki, and particularly Stratford, in getting the work of constructing the Stratford main trunk railway pushed on with more vigor than had been the case in the past. He believed there was a prospect of something better being done as a result of the moro vigorous and enlightened policy enumerated by the Public Works. Ho expressed the opinion that this was the most important railway under construction in New Zealand, but warned them that Auckland was interested in other railway lines perhaps in a greater measure tlias in the Stratford-Okahn-kura line, and Auckland was very united and determined, and had a good deal of political influence. It behoved Taranaki therefore, to act as one man, and never rest contented until this important wol-k was given precedence over every other public work in the Dominion, as its importance from a national point of view demanded. On the East Coast and North Auckland they required railways no doubt, but not so urgently as Taranaki's rich hinterland.

Mr. Lightband said that one reason why they should push on with the Stratford' line was to open up the vast coalfields of the Ohura,