OTIRA TUNNEL.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1923, Page 2

OTIRA TUNNEL.

THE FINANCIAL ASPECT. WELLINGTON, Aug. 7. The two Wellington morning papers take opposite views regarding the iinnncinl position in regard to the Otira tunnel. The “Dominion” says:—lt means a big thing for Canterbury, and perhaps ! a bigger thing still for the West Coast, but it is just as well to keep in mind the fact that for a long time to come : this costly railway undertaking is likely to prove a somewhat expensive luxury. The Prime Minister, with his customary optimism, scouted the idea o', the croakers “that the railway would not pay for axle grease,” and spoke hopefuly of a satisfactory revenue nnd a good percentage of the capital invested. Tliis sort of talk may be regarded as appropriate to the occasion, but we , much doubt whether Mr Masses s optimism regarding returns from the line is shared by tlm General Manager of Railways and his assistants ; at any rate, so far as some years ahead is concerned. The matter would not be | worth mentioning just now, however, ’ but for the fact that we notice complaints are already being made on the ’ West Coast of the proposed railway time-table. It may be that these complaints relate only to the days of run- ! ning of through trains, and not to the 1 number of trains. If so, there may be room for adjustment, but if on the other hand it means requests for addi- . tioual trains—more trains in fact than [ the Department feels is justified—then the question of pounds, shillings, and ' pence will have to bo faced at once. Railway earnings are not showing to such advantage just now than the country can afford to increase the loss on its non-paying lines. If there is anything to be given away it should bo in the way of reduced freights on the pay- ’’ iug sections. 1 The “New Zealand Times,” referring , to tho speeches at the opening ceremony says:—There is in them not one f hint of any possibility of failure. On , the contrary, they represent a unanil mons agreement that all the anticipatf.fl success will crown the completion of ' the great project for uniting the two ' Coasts of the Middle Island. The Midland railway to the west lias paid 3 per cent, of the capital charges, and will do it again, and more, lor the country it serves is a developing country. As the Prime Minister said, there is a vast mineral and timber traffic readv to go through the tunnel. The | prospect of greatly increased passenger traffic under the new conditions is really great, and the facilities for increased settlement in the west by men who can find none in the east are abundant. The overhead charges on the tunnel stand at £160.000 a. year. That, the Westland Midland Railway, which now meets all (or very soon will) its charges by its western traffic, will bring eastern traffic enough through the • tunnel to pay overhead charges on that work, is a. proposition that no sensible man would care to contradict. Hence the unanimity of the celebration speeches. tHBWHfIMM mrw BBBBBgMMMBPMW