The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1929. SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1929. SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

Lt would appear that the completion of the South island Main 'drunk railway will lie a matter on winch there is likely to be a very close division in Parliament. Sir Joseph Ward has pledged the Government very definitely to the active prosecution of the work to the point of completion, so that it is evident the Government has nailed its co.ours to the mast, and must use its best endeavours to carry out its set policy Meantime there is much active opposition to the work. There is a large amount of influential opposition emanating from the North Island. In that quarter where railways have been pushed ahead considerably by the late Government, two lines, the Taupo railway and the Palmerston North deviation, have been stopped. This action on the part oi the Liberal Government has aroused much comment, and newspapers, public organisations, and public men have been up- in arms. To stop the works and to start another railway in the other Island, is not the friendly gesture the North Islanders are looking for, hence the organisation of a very active campaign against the South Island trunk line. Even in the South Island there has been some difference of opinion about the completion of the line, but the Canterbury Progress League has determined to focus public opinion so far as it can, and on Friday next will wait on the lit Hon. the Prime Minister as a deputation to urge the work. We believe the League will be able to put before the Government and incidentally Parliament, a very strong case. The League’s good work in regard to the completion of the. Midland railway certainly stands to its" credit The League was a strong supporter of that work in the fac-e also of much organised North Island opposition. That railway was duly completed, and as we have remarked previously it was due to Sir Joseph Ward’s courage following the late R. J. Seddon’s demise in taking up the matter, and through his Government accepting a tender for the final section. At every stage of the agitation for the final linking of the East and West Coast railway, pronounced opposition was -voiced by North Island sources against the work. Yet to-day what are the facts? The tunnel is being worked at high pressure to cope with the traffic, which now is ahead of the. official estimate, and the great value to the East Coast at this juncture when coal is growing scarcer and so much in demand for industry, can hardly be estimated. Sir Joseph Ward has to his credit the success of the Midland Railway, and that aspect might well be referred to in connection with the present negotiations when the Prime Minister's judgment is being exercised once’again in a difficult railway problem. There is of course a* large expenditure involved in the completion of the trunk line, but it stands to reason that such works should he linked up rather than that the line should remain in broken sections. As matters stand the broken sections are not capable of being used for through freightage, nor as effectively as they might, were the links finally forged. Vve have seen the transformation folloAving the completion of the North Island Main Trunk line. That railway was completed entirely on the judgment of the Liberal Government. As a matter of policy the work was pushed on at feverish heat by Mr Seddon’s Government for the purpose of serving more effectively the growing railway requirements of mo North Island. Now the need is to meet the requirements of the South Island in like respect, and there are sure to he good results followinfi the linking up of the lines for a more extended and wider service. As the matter stands the Government deserves all the support and backing possible in this matter. A healthy public opinion on such questions is of service always. Sir Joseph, of, course, has his set policy, but seeing that opponents are so active in their opposition, it is, well that the other side should raise its voice in no uncertain sound so that the full facts should go out. and every encouragement'be given to the Government to pursue its set policy in this matter.