The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1921. TARANAKI’S REQUIREMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1921. TARANAKI’S REQUIREMENTS.

The visit of the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G- Coates) to Taranaki will afford the various public bodies an opportunity to press on his notice several important matters concerning which it is generally considered the district is not receiving a square deal. Particularly is this feeling in evidence relative to the cessation of work on the Tahora section of the Stratford-Main Trunk railway, and concentrating on the Matiere section. According to the Minister’s Public Works’ Statement, all preparations have been made to complete the Matiere section in about twelve months, and although this work is to be carried out as speedily as possible, it is hardly likely to be finished in the time mentioned. Taranaki people are only too pleased that the line is to progress satisfactorily at the further end, but they are naturally opposed to the cessation of work at Tahora. The Government admits the great importance of this line, yet the Minister’s policy is to proceed with one end only, leaving the Stratford end hung up at Tahora indefinitely, the only reason given being that the work beyond Tahora is heavy, therefore, inferentially. the line of least resistance is taken. From a strictly business point of view the heavy work should be tackled vigorously, and then the whole line would speedily be put through, and it is the attainment of that goal which is of supreme concern to Taranaki. Unquestionably the work should proceed at both ends, and the sound course for the Minister to take would be to employ men and machinery for boring the

tunnels, and proceeding with the other work as energetically as means allow. The work is of national importance, and will open up a vast coalfield that will be of immense benefit to the Dominion’s industries, yet according to the Minister’s views expressed in the Public Works Statement the continuation of the line from Tahora is of so little import that it is to stand over until “some of the other lines are completed.” When that will be no one can tell, particularly in view of the fact that even by a vigorous prosecution of the work from now onwards some years must elapse before the hinterland, is connected with Taranaki. Hence the need for concerted efforts to induce the Minister to reconsider and reverse his decision. Another matter of great urgency is to impress the Minister with the need for linking up Taranaki with Auckland by road. This means pressing on with the work of metalling Mt. Messenger, making a good road to Mokau and bridging the river. Good work is now being done at Mt. Messenger, and special efforts should be made to expedite its completion during the fine weather. Almost of equal importance is the metalling of the road from the bottom of the hill to Mokau and constructing & bridge over that river—a work that has far too long been delayed—for the -neglect is a serious reflection on the Minister’s Department. It is, however, understood the Government proposes to put this work in hand, so that the Minister’s visit to the locality may, it is hoped, bear good fruit in the selection of a site for the bridge and convincing him of the need for prompt action in its erection. It is also advisable that the Minister should personally see the necessity for pushing on w'ith the work on the lower Awakino road, which connects Awakino with Mahoenui. The provision of a road usable all the year round from New Plymouth to Te Kuiti would be a great boon which is long overdue. Another important matter is that of opening the Mt. Egmont quarries. The Taranaki members of Parliament have made repeated efforts to halve these quarries reopened—they should never have been closed—but the Department required a guaranteed demand “to justify the expenditure necessary to produce crushed metal,” and the replies on this subject by the local bodies appear not to have come up to expectations, the result being that the re-opening has been hung up, and if is extremely desirable that the Minister should be convinced that this policy is detrimental to the district, which badly needs road-making material. Among other requirements that should be pressed on the Minister’s notice is the taking in hand of the Te RotiMoturoa railway works, also the provision of buildings in New Plymouth suitable for carrying on Government business, the present structure being totally inadequate, insanitary and expensive to maintain, while in the case of portions of these buildings were they used l>y private business people they would certainly be condemned by the authorities. Mr. Coates has shown that he is animated by progressive news, and it is to be hoped that the representations regarding the requirements of the province will not be in vain. •