VITAL RAIL LINK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 54, 6 March 1945, Page 5

VITAL RAIL LINK

TANEATUA-MOTUHORA GAP

MOVE FOR COMPLETION

Using the slogan 'Bridge the Gap* business interests supported by the Chambers of Commerce Auckland, Whakatane and Gpotiki are now making determined efforts to bring about the completion of the East Coast Railway by the construction of the TaneatuaMotuhora gap. In order to crystalise public opinion in all the towns and districts concerned and thus bring pressure to bear upon the Government to include the undertaking as a 'priority' task in the work of Rehabilitation a special meeting will take place in Whakatane on March 7.th (to-morrow) when delegates from Auckland, Hamilton, Te Puke Tauranga ) Opotiki 3 borne, Morrinsville' Matamata and Whakatane Chambers of Commerce will attend together with other representatives from neighbouring local bodies and Members of Parliament. A Dominion survey shows the East Coast rail gap to be the only' incomplete trunk section in New Zealand. Its construction will mean the opening up of the boundless prospects of the undiscovered East Coast } carrying a population of and producing 3 000 - 000 sheep and caatle.' The same area produces no less than 75 per cent of the Dominion's maize crop and contains seven counties tourist resorts and rich river flats. The fact that the larger centres have focussed so much attention on the subject indicates the vital nature of the proposed railway from the commercial angle but apart from that aspect there also remains the equally important duty encumbent upon those towns on, the coast which have been willing to remain apathetic in the past and-let these vas;t lands go without access for so long. There can be no question of Whakatane's fullest support for the project. . ,