Nelson and West Coast.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1921, Page 1

Nelson and West Coast.

PLEA FOR RAILWAY COMMUNICATION. NEIiSON, August 16. Referring to the need of railway extension to link up the Nelson and West Coast railways, the “Mail” says: “Given railway communication with the south, there would bo heavy fruit traffic, for the West Coast greatly needs Nelson’s fruit. Communication with the rest of the South Island, which would then bo available, would transform tire whole of the settled portions of the Nelson district. Marvellous results have been and are being obtained here from very small areas properly worked on intensive lines. We have climatic conditions suited for great extention in this direction, provided the commodities can be reasonably marketed. The opening up of southern markets would be a tremendous factor in Nelson’s progress. Nelson could supply a great quantity of vegetables, small fruits and apples to southerners before their own requirements could be met locally. There, are many parts of the South Island which are unable to produce successfully articles of diet that can be grown commercially here. The whole question is fraught with immense possibilities. From a military point of view the line should go through. Tin absence of railway communication here is one of the greatest- strategic difficulties with which the New Zealand commander. in the event of hosftilitb" would he faced. There is every reason why the lino should he completed. We trust that the facts of the case will receive the serious consideration of the Government.”