The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1922. TARANAKI’S NEEDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1922. TARANAKI’S NEEDS.

Tai-anaki should benefit as the result of the deputation to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Works last week. The Ministers in these busy times were unable to come to Taranaki and see for themselves the pressing needs, and therefore the Chambers of Commerce and other watchdogs of the province’s interests had no alternative but to proceed to Wellington and place the matters before the Ministers. This was done, and done effectively. The Prime Minister .acknowledged the importance of the works brought under his notice, and frankly promised to push on with the metalling of the Mt. Messenger-Awakino road and the completion of the Lower Awakino Valley road extension. This he realised was more than a provincialjWork; it was a national one, connecting two important provinces. Mr. Massey dwelt upon the straitened nature of the national finances, but, notwithstanding, promised that something would be done this financial year to improve the condition of the Tangarakau Gorge road, acknowledging that, in the absence of a railway, the road connection was essential. The Minister for Public Works raid he had contemplated spending little or nothing on this road, but was prepared to reconsider the matter if the Premier desired him to do so. la view of Mr. Massey’s declaration, we can expect a start to be made forthwith with the improvement of this important link between old and new Taranaki. Owing to its bad stale, it is impossible to use the road for the greater part of the year, which is a great handicap to settlers and traders alike. Consequent on the decision of the Government to suspend the construction of the railway at this side, it will be years before the railway is completed, and it is therefore in the interests of the railways to have the road connection. This point was fully recognised by Mr. Massey. The Minister for Public Works naturally defended his policy of concentration on public works. The policy is perfectly sound and tequires no justification. Taranaki, however, claims that the judgment as to the order of importance of the various works that does not place the Stratford-Oha-kukura line first in the North Island is at fault. Probably two million sterling has been sunk in the works already, and the loss of interest will continue as long as the line remains unconnected. The Hon. Miteheson, in his condemnation of the policy of railway construction in the Legislative Council on Friday evening, included this line among those he described as unproductive and undesirable, but the hon. gentleman cannot know the extent and quality of the country it will serve and the part it will play in relieving the present tortuous main trunk of its heavy traffic. If he did he would not have referred to the line in such disparaging terms. He could much more profitably have turned his attention to other railways nearer Auckland. He need have no fear of the Stratford line paying its way. The Railway Department, it is understood, look uporftthis line as a very important one, and possibly view the delay in its completion in the same way as the Taranaki people do. However, the position has to be accept ed for the time being, and attention devoted to bridging the gao by metalling the Gorge Road. It was satisfactory to hear that the Public Works Minister Intended io complete the metalling of Mt Messenger this season, and to proceed with the metalling of the road to Awakino. This is a very important work in view of the opening of the lower valley road, on which the Department is also concentrating. Most of the latter work is being undertaken on the small contract system, which makes for expedition. At the present rate of progress the formation work should be completed this season, leaving the metalling to be done next year. This is not a difficult or costly matter, for the metal is to be found alongside, so if the Department continues to display the same energy as it has during the past month or two in connection ,

with this work, the road should be completed and open for traffic early next spring. This will ensure all the year connection between Auckland and Taranaki, and will prove the greatest boon to the settlers and the people of both provinces. The deputation asked that the preliminaries in connection with bridging the Mokau should be put in hand forthwith, and meantime that the punt service be improved. A favorable reply was given to this request. The building of the bridge, as pointed out by the Minister, involves a big expenditure, but it is one that must be faced in the immediate future. No ferry service, we feel certain, will ever deal with the traffic following the opening up and improvement of the road, but to press for its immediate construction when, it would entail the reduction of votes for the road works would be unwise. On the whole the Minister is doing his best with the road, the completion of which is now within measurable distance of attainment.