ROAD TO WELLINGTON.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1920, Page 5

ROAD TO WELLINGTON.

REQUEST FOR A DEVIATION. SCARCITY OF MEN THE TROUBLE. By Telttraph.—Press Association Wellington, Last Night. t A deputation representing Chambers of CoauMtce and local public bodies on the. jrot coiMt of the-.North Island between Wellington and Wanganui, interviewed Mr. Massey to-day to press their claiib, for a deviation of the railway and Joad'to avoid the Paekakariki hill. Mr. Massey agreed that the road was bad; and said that it, with others, would jhave to be taken in Ijand when the Gov-' erament had the labor and the money to do the work. He promised that the warjc trould Ibe commenced as soon as possible, but he could not fix a date. fThere were a number of lines of railway Hpproaohing completion, and it would be simply folly to undertake any more troths of importance, until some of (these lines were out of band. Surveys iiadlwtn made for the west coast lines, ■tad the authorisation had been given. !AU that they were waiting for was men «nd. materials. As soon as labor could be obtained at a reasonable rate, the (work would be undertaken. A number of deputation: "Supposing we, can find labor for you!" Mr. Massey: 'You can get labor only |>y taking men away from some other jvorks, or from some local body which lieeds them just as badly." The member of the deputation explained that lie had no such idea in (tad. fir. Massey: "Very well, bring them (along." He added that the Governta#fct «ould employ 5000 more men on gntblicworks if they could get them. The Public Works Minister said he fcl4 no hope- that any considerable part of the cost of this new road could be Pfld for out of . motor taxation. As ftp the deviation would have to |>e undertaken, it was really a matter for the Railway Department to 'say pfefOK&ig was losing money in using • |Hto pretoit line. He would, consult his fcngineenr and let the deputation know {the result. Replying to a question, Mr. Massey JSaid thevrovenunent would consider any g»r£poaa{ tp improve the present posi- . yion.