DOMINION RAILWAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2296, 15 September 1908, Page 2

DOMINION RAILWAYS.

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE. DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. [PitEee Aeeociation.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. A large deputation, numbering 30 to 40, representing every local body between Picton and Canterbury, and including several Canterbury Sl-P.’e, waited on the Premier to urge the completion of the South-Island Main Trunk June. A large number of those present • spoke, urging that now the .North Island Irank line was completed the Government should put a largo vote, say £200,000 a year for five years, on the Estimates to finish the line.

. Sll l Joseph Ward, in reply, admitted tlie influential- nature of the deputation, but held out no hopes that such an amount as mentioned could be devoted to this work. The votes were already allocated for the year, and he recommended them to await the Public Works Statement. The demands for railways at this moment amounted to twelve'millions sterling, which was quite out of tho question. There were 17 or 18 lines still to be completed. and they must have- first consideration. The whole country could not be kept waiting for tlie completion of one big lino. When these were out of the -way. there would bo more money available for this line,