AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1929, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS

MAKING GAUGES UNIFORM. SYDNEY, January 23. For many long years Australia has mouthed empty sentiments about a uniform railway gauge, which is one of its most pressing problems, as would be quickly appreciated if it has to dice with death on the chessboard of war within its own borders and troops had to he rapidly mobilised and transported from one State to another. The fact _lirftut the Economic Mission has recom'inelided the unification of the various gang"s has revived interest in the question in New South Wales. It is. to the credit of New South Wales and Queensland, incidently, that they are tne only two States which have definitely tackled the problem, with an iron road, now( under construction, which will obviate a break of gauge at that end of the continent. Some years ago a Royal Commission estimated that a uniform gauge from one end of Australia to the other would involve an • outlay of more than £21,000,000, but it will cost a good deal more than that by the time.the politicians have stopp'd talking about the problem and give practical form. In fact, the scheme will pever be consummated so long as Sarfth Australia and Victoria adopt a dog-in-the manger policy towards it. It has been suggested that the unification of the gauges should b© carried out as a development work under Australia’s £34,000,000. loan agreement with Great Britain. This might serve to remove from the path the two obstinate lions in the form of South Australia and Victoria.