The Tunnel Agitation

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 6

The Tunnel Agitation

"With the formation last night of tho Arthur's Pass Tunnel League, tho agitation for the early completion of tho East-and-West railway connexion is provided with n focus, and tho way is now clear for rigorous and diligent action. .An executive has been arranged, and a number of sub-cominit-tee-s appointed, which include as members many useful citizens, who should bo able to seo to it that the campaign, is effectively prosecuted. Tho purpose of last night's meeting was tho consideration of tactics, and wo wish we could have recorded to-day a more aggressive tone in this council of war. Wo say "council of war," because the agitation and the League will bo of little or no effort unless it is realised that war rather than educative effort is required—war upon Departmental apathy, upon the Government's inclination to distribute the Public Works Fund widely instead of spending it wisely, upon tho foundations of the present vicious system of expenditure generally. At this timo of day there ought not to be anybody ifri Canterbury or Westland unaware of tho national importance of the Midland connexion, of the necessity for its [ early completion, or of tho magnitude of the grievance of 'Westland and Canterbury against the present and preceding Governments. We do not think there are many such people. It is not ignorance, but apathy, that the League has to-contend with, and "edu- " cational meetings," although they will be valuable, are not so necessary as a display by tho League of somo of the energy and diliger.ee with which Auckland people go about the prosecution of their campaigns. Tho steps taken by the genoral committee last night are admirable so far as they go, hut they do not go far enough. Tho calling of a public meeting, which was proposed by the Mayor—who appears to grasp rather more clearly than some of his colleagues the necessity for a strong offensive —was opposed on what seem to us insufficient grounds. There was no mention of the immediate despatch of a largo and well-armed deputation to Wellington to have tho matter out with the Government. If the only representations to tho Government are to be made through deputations to such Ministers as may happen to pass through Christchurch, no progress will be made. Unless tho whole position is forced upon the attention of tho Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and tho. Minister of Public Works simultaneously, the session will be ovor and tho recess begun without | any improvement in the prospects of tho tunnel. No doubt the exocutive of the League, when it sets to work, will attend to these points, and in any event a promising beginning has been made. In wishing the League success, and commending it to the support of everyone who has the interests of the provinco and the Dominion at heart, we cannot help regretting that only one of the local members of Parliament has found it convenient to assist in the campaign.