SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20098, 29 November 1930, Page 17

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK.

CONSTRUCTION CRITICISED ALLEGED WASTE OF MONEY. [THE PBESS Special Service.} AUCKLAND, November 28. "I th;nk the completion of the South Island Main Trunk railway is a policy of the consistency of fools. Here we are doing our best to stop national leakages only to find that money is being poured into this undertaking regardless of consequences. Why, even people in the locality to be served by the line are laughing over the "work. They know they have put one over tho zest of New Zealand." This indictment was made this morning by Mr N. G. Gribble, secretary of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League on his return from a visit of inspection to the South Island, including tho route from Wharanui southward. TTnsotmd Proposition. "The people who are supposed to ho wanting the line know perfectly well that the proposition is not sound," declared Mr Gribble. "They Wake up each morning pleasantly surprised to find that the work of construction ha-s not been stopped. They sing in their baths at the knowledge that work is proceeding. Rome of tho settlers I met regard the whole thing as a big joke, and are marvelling that the people concerned should be able to get away with it." Mr Gribble said that his observations showed that a considerable portion of the country proposed to bo served by tho new 3ine was of the poorest possible quality, and for miles and miles the actual railway track was laid on sandhills, on which marram grass had been planted in an endeavour to prevent the track from being entirely obliterated in easterly weather. Many of the culverts put in had already silted. Doubtful Benefits. "I have always regarded myself as optimistic of New Zealand's future, but I was never so near to being disheartened as I was after inspecting this work," said Mr Gribble. "If the people of New Zealand could only afford to visit the locality they would immediately demand the cessation of the Work. It seems fantastic to imagine even any political end is served by constructing the line, but I cannot believe that anybody with an elementary knowledge of business would imagine that any real benefits will accrue from the undertaking. The promise to construct the line was given in a wild moment, and it is being redeemed regardless of anything else. 1 discussed the proposition with scores of people in Christchurch and I did not find one who was prepared to justify the line." Mr Gribble expressed doubt whether even as much as 10 per cent, of the country to be served would yield any revenue to the railway when completed. The present position in New Zealand demanded & national 6tocktaking, but in the absence of that in the meantime there should be a sectional overhaul, starting with the South Island Main Trunk Railway.