THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1913. RAILWAYS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 2 December 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1913. RAILWAYS.

Surprise is expressed in some quarters that the Public Works Statement has made little provision for railways to open up baekblocks districts, and absolutely none for those light-line services for which the Minister has expressed a preference. When one investigates the position, however, his surprise will be dissipated. The policy of the Government is to press on with those railways which have already been started, and which assume the character of arterial lines. Nobody will deny that the policy of bringing such railways to a paying point—if such a thing be possible—is a wise one. In the case of the Midland Railway, and a few other political lines that have been thrust/ upon the country by tho extravagant "Liberal" Party, it is to be feared that the paying point will not be reached for many years. This notwithstanding, it is the,manifest duty of the, Government to bring to'..completion with as much expedition aspossible all those lines to which the Dominion stands committed. Hence we find that a large portion of the public works fund is to be devoted to those lines lEaf are already in process of construction. With the present state of the money market, it would be euicidal for the Government to go upon the London market

for largo railway construction loans. It has, however, done the next best thing. It lias passed legislation which will permit of the construction of light-line and other railways by privato enterprise. ' Hence it will be possible for the land-holders in the Akiti© district to . bring themselves into touch with Mastertoh and other centres if they are disposed to tax themselves for tho money required to construct the line. The work will be done under the authority and supervision of tho Government, but the money must be raised by tho districts interested themselves. We are not sure that the wealthy settlers to the east and north would riot be justified in availing .themselves of tho legislation that is being passed to secure closer communication with the markets. The whole question, of course, is one of pounds, shillings, and pence. Some will argue that, if it pays the Government to construct a line between Featherston and Martin botfegh, it will pay it also to construct one between Master ton and Tinui, or Mastertort/ and Pongaroa. For ourselves, we think the Government would have been better advised in throwing all the branch lines upon private enterprise, in the meantime, and prosecuting only those works which are of an arterial and national character. The Masierton to Waipukurau connectionl.might reasonably be classed in the latter category. Hence, it is for the settlers to say whether they will avail themselves of the legislation that has been provided this ssession, or whether they will prefer, tp. bring further pressure upon the Government to compel it to recognise the claims of that vast tract of country extending along the East Coast right through to Napier. If a light-line project is undertaken, communication- may be more speedily secured with parts of the district." But this may prejudice- v the larger undertaking, and prevent the construction of that railway for which the settlers have been fighting for years, and which is regarded as essential to the development of our internal resources. The position is one that must be oTscussed in all its bearings. The Railway League—or such of it as remains—should organise a, 'representative conference, at which the Chambers of Commerce of Wellington and the Wairarapa would be represented, as well as settlers and local authorities, when the whole situation as it affects the progress of the province should be fully discussed* Because we have not secured a vote on the estimates.this year for. the Rimutaka deviation' or ; tho Masterton-Waipukurau railway, . we' muet.not.relax our energies hoi" bo. : the more determined-to press pur claims upon • "tho powers that be.