BRANCH RAILWAYS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10619, 26 April 1912, Page 5

BRANCH RAILWAYS

AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT. BY THE PRIME MINISTER. (By Telegraph —Frees Association.) AUCKLAND, Last Night. An important s-tatement regarding' railway construction was made by the Prime Minister to-day to -a Waitika, deputation, which waited on him and the Hon. A. Myers, to urge the construction of a branch railway. T):e Premier isaid ith-e matter must be dealt with on definite linos of policy. The country, at. the last elections, had raised a loud voice of protest against, excessive public borrowing. The Ministry, of which he was tho head, in-, tended to, respect the wishes of the people in this connection. Regarding the claims of Auckland, lie mentioned that this province had come in for a good share of railwa y^expendiUire last" year. "There aro many parts of New Zealand," the Premier continued, "which are far worse off for railway; communication thain Waiukir;. and .un- ; less the country comes to a decision. regarding tlio desirability for, the construction of these branch railways, 1 don't think they will go on.. At avy late, the'question will be made a mat-, ter of policy for Cabinet to consider." Mr Mackenzie added, "I have no hesitation in saying that if the country i?; willing, Tain quite prepared to bot'i'O'.v for the undertaking of public works of this nature. I.am for progress, a.id so arc my colleagues." (Hear, hear,) The speaker added: "I quite agree with the spirit of economy; but where a country is progressing at the rate Now Zealand is, it is essential to maintain a borrowing policy. The financial; position of the country is good, and L. shall be glad indeed to go into the matter of branch, railway construction with Cabinet." (Hear, hear).