RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2166, 23 August 1907, Page 2

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

NORTH ISLAND TRUNK TO BE FINISHED. NO BIG GRANTS FOR OTHER AVORKS. Press Association. AVELLINGTON, August 22. ~Replying to a deputation from Marlborough who urged the claims tor railway connection between that province and Canterbury and particularly the necessity of pushing on the line to Ward to keep faith with set-, tiers who had taken up land, and also the need of a wharf at Picton, the Premier said the Government recognised that, this line was a colonial work. He repeated that the North Island main trunk line which had to be completed would take a large portion of the money available for railway construction. Until this line was finished it was useless to spend money on other railways really only returning secondary benefits; and the Government could not make an exception of any other line in the colony till the rails were linked up. Little dr nothing would be spent on the Midland tunnel this year, and the North Island main trunk would be out of the way next year. Every district that wanted a railway could quote an argument in favor of it. The Government could not possibly do all it was , £^L un * ess it went in for a loan of £4.000.000 or £6,000.000 a year. This would be a mad policy—it would do

an immense amount of harm to the country as a whole. In allocating money this year the Government would do its best. Its position was ail exceedingly difficult one until fin- ■ North Island main trunk line was out of the way. A large vote could not be given to any line. Regarding the wharf he said the Government was at ore-sent considering the matter. He loped to be able to make provision or a new structure this year. Ho would not definitely commit himself to anything.