The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, APRIL 17th, 1923. THE RAILWAY TRAFFIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, APRIL 17th, 1923. THE RAILWAY TRAFFIC.

To what extent the railway traffic will ho affected by the Midland railway, when in the long last it is in final operation. is probably the chief mission of the railway commercial agents to the Coast just now. The bulk of the traffic from the west to the east will be undoubtedly coal and timber. The limits to this trade are probably not yet comprehended. The quick, direct transit of coal to the .Hast Coast will he a great boon to the co-operative coal miners in particular at both llecfton and Point Elizabeth. They will have a ready market always open, independent of shipping. A view we have held now for some time—and expressed previously—is that the ocean liners will ho coaling at Lyttelton with West Coast coal. This is a branch of traffic which has not yet been counted upon, but we believe if the Lyttelton Harbor Board eaters for the traffic by supplying quick loading facilities, the ocean going boats will bunker at the Ivi-ct Coast port. The timber trade of this Coast must benefit greatly by the facilities the railway will offer for transport. Forwarded by rail will reduce the cost of handling ami rehandling be sea-borne transit, and the commodity will he on sale cheaper to the consumer. That must give a fillip to the trade. The railway will supply a much needed outlet for stock and dairy produce from the Coast. The stock traffic will grow greatly. Dairy produce will increase with settlement which will he encouraged by more people coming this wav, and with the greater demand for land ensuring more use being made of occupied land, r> well as other areas being taken tip. The opportunity of sending dairy produce direct to the coo] storage sheds for immediate grading prior to Home shipment. will t>c a great advantage to the farming cctnmunity, and the improved returns, together with the more assured market, will increase production. Altogether, in the staple products of the Coast which have been mentioned, the railway transport will be a great boon. Front the very outset, there is sure to be a congestion at Otira in the rush to get the bulk commodities through the tunnel and it is pertain that the anticipation to work the, traffic

through the tunnel day and night will have to he maintained to cope with the congestion. Coming eastward will be the supplies of produce and general goods—of which fruit in season will lie a large item. Central Otago will he aide to compete with Nelson supplies, v.tii—h will lx- for the mutual benefit of all concerned. It is believed that there are certain classes of goods on the -railway tariff in regard to which shipping will hold its own with the railway, hut this will apply mostly to tho higher class goods, the volume of which will not lie impressive. The railway should, however, attack the hulk of the oversea trade to Lyttelton harbour. so far as imports are concerned, thereby providing the most direct delivery. The goods traffic must lie: essarily lie of substantial proportions seeing that in Die main the two Coasts are so complementary to each other in tlie matter of every day supplies. J ust, as Canterbury grows in abundance what this district cannot produce to such advantage, so the Coast has natural products which Canterbury lack.

and must lane. The two vacuums have to lie filled, and the railway will h the main channel of supply for the task. Tlie business ahead of the I ailways will be. thus, very substantial - justifying in fast the construct ion of the line for which the ctmiiiiy has wailed so long.