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Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1924, Page 2

CoNVK.vrtDNS. unlike party politics, do not stop at the water's edge. England will have the pleasure during the coining summer of entertaining two distinguished and influential bodies • ol American citizens. One represents the entire advertising energies of the American press, including magazine publications; tile other is the eminent American Bar Association, embodying tin* legal talent of the touted States. Just how large the attendance at either, or both of these conventions is to lie, cannot be foretold accurately, but the advertising men count on considerably more than one thousand delegates, and the Bar Association will number a I least as many. These associations have chosen London after mature deliberation, and there is more enthusiasm over the trip abroad than has been the ease where the meetings have boon home alfairs. It is needless to enlarge on the happy possibilities that grow out of this mingling of the best thought ol the two nations. English newspaper moil are already beginning a program of entertainment for their brethren from across the sea that will fittingly display their friendship, and the legal

men of England are also at work on means and methods that will tangibly express thoi'r cordial appreciation oT the visit of so many distinguished and eminent men in the same prole.ssion. London has been the scene of many world congresses, but not oiten lias any country sent an entire convention across the Atlantic for an annual meeting. The ex-territorial convention habit seems to be growing in America, for the powerful New York State Bankers’ Association has arranged to hold its 1924 convention in the city of Montreal. A.s a matter of fad, Montreal will be the scene of quite a number of American conventions:, icpiesenting many professions and trades, for the attractions of the Uanadiun metropolis appeal strongly to visitors from the ITiitcd States. Can it be possible that the laws of prohibition are driving the convention sessions to more congenial countries? Surely not I

Tju; Coast generally can aflord to s:t ii(i aml take Muuetliiug more tli=» n a passing interest- in the demand again being made on beliall of Canterbury for impiored railway icontmunicntion between Christchurch and Lyttelton. Lyttelton must become the overseas port o! the. Coast, and it is of paramount interest to have the best conininnication possible to the seaport. It is surprising to note bow patient and long-suf-lcring Canterbury has been in tbis matter. Tim single trade railway through the Port Hills is a drawback to Canterbury trade as a whole. The necessary improvement has been long recommended and sanctioned, yet nothing is done. The trade of Lyttelton port will continue to grow, but the bad-' of prompt means for despatch of traffic is a difficulty which must retard vci v considerably the rate of natural progress. The duplication of the railway track- through the tunnel, and the electrification of the line are very urgently necessary. Were the line duplicated steam trains could operate to better advantage, while- given electric trains, traffic could be maintained continuously almost. At present, trains may pass through the tunnel only ,nt regular intervals. The smoke nuisance affects the engine drivers, and traffic cannot Ik’ over frequent, as with heavy loads and extra firing the atmosphere becomes vitiated. Electrification would avoid this menace, and as the Oovevnlneut will have its own power supply to draw upon, the latter venture would become a more assured success, while at the same time contributing to a most important public need. Electric trains could he more frequent, thus disposing of more traffic In a given time, besides being of greater service to the immediate users. Attention on the part of the authorities to the tunnel needs is most desirable.