NEW RAILWAYS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1922, Page 5

NEW RAILWAYS

THREE PRINCIPAL WORKS. MINISTER OUTLINES POLICY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A deputation from the Auckland Railway League waited on the Hon. J. G. Coates to-day urging the construction of the Waihi-Tauranga line, on which miners unemployed could be engaged. The Minister, replying, said it would not be sound business to change over from the Taneatua section, because the latter would open up country as far as Opotiki and traffic from Gisborne, and permit traffic by sea from Tauranga. He was avoiding expenditure on bridges and buildings as much as possible, as money so spent would largely go out of the country. No one knew what the position regarding unemployment would be this winter and his endeavor was to make provision in that direction. The Minister said people were complaining about the number of votes on the estimates for railway construction. As a matter of fact there were but three lines which should be proceeding at present —North Auckland, .South Island Midland and the Waikokopu branch. The remainder were those to which unemployed could be diverted if the necessity arose. Road works did not offer ihe same opportunity, as the roads required were further from the centres. As regards the Waihi line he would consult with the engineer.