Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1911. THE RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10174, 25 February 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1911. THE RAILWAY LEAGUE.

The proposal to establish an East Coast Kail way League is one which must commend itself to all sections of the <x>mm.unity. The object of those who have in view the establishment of such a League is to remove the question entirely from the region of parochialism, and to enlist the sympathy of as large a.(territory/ as possible. The Masterton Chamber of Commerce has displayed' a great deal of interest in railway matters in the past, but it has been rather too parochial in its demands. It would be a pity if two distinct Leagues were formed in the 'Wairarapa—one having in view the deviation of the Rimutaka only, and the other embracing the wider field of operation. The more pretentious scheme appears to be the one which would appeal to the sympathies of the settlers, and of the great bulk of oomimercial people. TB.B ©cneme (woiild involve three things-~4Ee Rimutaka deviation, the opening up of connection between Masterton and Bawke's Bay, via Pongaroa, and the pushing on of the railway between Napier and Gis" borne. These three projects, when accepted as a general policy, would command the support of thirteen members of Parliament (including

those of Wellington), which would at once mean the bringing of pressure to bear in the right quarter. The whole ' three schemes should be started simultaneously and completed within a reasonable period. land, at the present time, is urging the Govenment to establish communication with Gisborne, so that it can secure the whole- of the Poverty Bay trade. Wellington, in the meantime is remaining inactive, whilst Napier is making very little stir. If increased railway traffic from Hawke's Bay could be secured, and a short cut could be made along ' the East Coast, through Pongaroa, to Masterton, the Bimutaka deviation would 'be assured. The Manawatu line has all it can do to cope with the increasing West Coast and Main Trunk traffic. It could not stand the extra strain placed upon it by the trade from Poverty Bay. Duplication is out of the question if the traffic can be taken to Wellington via the Wairarapa. Napier and Hawke's Bay are interested in the Rimutaka deviation, because it would facilitate the pushing through of the connection with Hawke's Bay, via Pongaroa. They are also interested because communication with Gisborne would render better facilities for reaching the central port imperative. The Wairarapa is concerned in the Gisborne connection because it would bring more traffic in the direction of Wellington-, and hasten the construction of the Pongaroa route as well as the Rimutaka deviation. The interests of the whole East Coast district are involved in the major project, and if this is adopted by an influential Railway League, the chances of the three undertakings being pushed forward spiritedly would be greatly enhanced. For this reason it is to be hoped! that the Masterton Chami ber of Commerce will join witth the local ibodies and other Chambers along -the Coast in forming a representative League.