WATERWAYS TRANSIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 10

WATERWAYS TRANSIT.

AUCKLAND-WAIKATO SCHEME,

POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

BENEFITS TO PROVINCE.

The recent report on projected development of waterways transit as the outcome of the formation of an Auek-]an.d-Waikato Waterways League has attracted wide notice, and an Auckland citizen who has just returned from Wellington advises that the scheme" has hcen explained to responsible Government officers, who have warmly commended it.

An important factor to be taken into consideration is the modern tendency for great industries to be established in rural districts, where a better type of labour can be attracted and given suitable living conditions away from the unsettling influences of city life. This, taken in conjunction with cheaper waterways carriage, is the economic advantage. Important Resources. Distillation from brown coal is only one of many phases of coal industry developments that may be expected to add to the value of waterways carriage hi an area like the Waikato, where there is knowii to lie a tremendous field for exploitation. The fact that during last week announcement was made of the •intention of Wafkato Carbpnised, Ltd., to erect a pioneer plant'at Rotowaro for dealing with coal-slack by the latest process, gives emphasis to future possibilities. Again the handling" of such weighty materials as the low grade ores Ot the Thames Peninsula, and the close relationship revealed in the manufacture of fertilisers, must not be overlooked in analysing the scope for expansion that lies in cheapened cost of waterways transport for dealing wit], bulk It is -well known that the Waikato coals and Thames ores contain a high proportion of sulphur, wind, is essential to the manufacture of the commonest forms of fertilisers. From the coal also eomes fuel oils and bitumen, which j„ view of the rapid development of efficient roads m purfc of a national' policy, confirms the importance of link J big op the outer district l, y waterway? lor distributing the bulk products In view of the efforts of interests in flauiMw and Auckland to establish.

better waterways resources, it is interesting to read the comments made last month by Sir Arthur Duckham, chairman of the Advisory Committee set up under the Development Act, 1929, in Great Britain. "We are concerned," he said, "with public utility undertakings which are carried on under statutory powers, and provide means of transport or communication —gas, electricity, water or other power. If we look to the volume of purchases such undertakings make during a year, it is obvious that they must exert a wide influence on employment at large. It is our duty to stimulate in every practical way their activities, so that directly and - indirectly they may contribute to their maximum towards the. reduction of unemployment. Assistance will be given schemes employing the maximum labour and materials, and not to those necessitating the purchase of materials from Continental sources. Many of our staple industries only need stimulation to get them on their feet properly." Sir Arthur's final comment was even more significant. He added: "Prosperity must reach our basic Industries before its beneficient effects can be felt in industry in general." If such Government encouragement and confidence are justified in England how much greater are the possibilities of-similar developments in New Zealand and Auckland?

Meantime the Auckland -Waikato waterways ' scheme has already roused the keen interest of residents of theupper harbour, where tobacco growing and other industries are taking shape, and the possibility of more direct contact with the Waikato means the opening of another field for expansion. _ A public meeting to discuss the matter is to be held at Hobsonyillo at an early date.