S.I. MAIN TRUNK

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1929, Page 5

S.I. MAIN TRUNK

TO BE PUT THROUGH. PREMI Ell’S ASSURANCE. (By Telegraph—i’er Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 19. Facts, figures and estimates in great detail were marshalled by a deputation representing South Island public bodies and Progress Leagues, beaded by Canterbury and Marlborough interests, which wai.ed on members of the Government to-day to support the proposal for the completion of the South Island Main Trunk Railway. The Prime Minister stated that tbe work has been commenced already. He said that, with the help of Parliament this session, the Government intended to obtain authority for the coin struction of the line. 'flie maijbrity of the members of Parliament, said the Prime Minister, were in favour of the project. The Ministers present wore the Prime Minister, the Minis'er of Railways, Hon Mr Tavrncr; the Minister of Lands, Hon Mr Forbes; the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Mr de la Peri elle; the Minister of Justice, Hon Mr Wiford ; the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon Air Cobbe;.the Minister of Public Works, Hon Mr Stallworthy; and the Minister of Native Affairs, Hon Sir Apirana Ngata. Mr J. E. Straclian, the former President of the' Canterbury : Pi ogress' League, was. the chief sneaker for the deputation. He said that there was a fair probability of, the line paying at least working expenses in its initial stages. The prospects would be sufficient i.o justify!tho construction of the line.

Dealing with the national and economic aspects of the line, Mr Straclian quoted figures showing that tbe South Island’s development bad been strangely retarded, in comparison with die North Island’s' development. In the economic and industrial aspects, lie said, the Souili Is.and was not pulling its weight. If, however, the South Island’s development could be-acceler-ated to keep step with that of the North Island, tlien the Dominion as a whole would be more prosperous. The North Island had its' through railway i/Jmiec'tion .Ann Wellington.' to .the uortn of Auckland. The South Island, nowever, was virtually beheaiTecl by tbe gap in its trunk line. The North Is.aml bad two major ports' on the Paci.ic traffic routes, but owing to the existing break in its trunk railway line tho nearest, available port in the South .stand was j 175 mi {eft ’further away; whereas in Picton the South Island might have a terminal port as advantageously placed as was Wellington, flie- first,step towards .raising the commercial status of Piotbn obviously was to connect Picton with the Soutu i> land trunk railway system. Mr Straclian was supported by Mr R. F. Coulter, Dr \V,v;yE, Redman, Mr W. J. Girling, and Mr A. J. Murray if Marlborough, and by Mr S. B. Donald of Otago, m;

Replying;-to the deputation, tlici Prime Minister said that the deputation and the Governhieitt were one in their sentiment iiij connection with this railway. The Government had proclaimed its intention of getting the authority of Parliament'to put the line through; but lie was very glad that they had come to support the project, because, outside of the Government and the Members of Parliament who ivere favourable to the making of the railway, there had been an effort to -•rente a false public opinion about it. The Prime Minister stated that he was satisfied that the railway would paj T and that Parliament would authorise its completion this session. In conclusion, Sir Joseph Ward stated: “I hope you will take my assurance, and the assurance of my colleagues, that the work will he gone on with; and you can go back to your homes as happy as if the system had already been completed.” (Laughter and applause).

NELSON PROGRESS LEAGUE’S RESOLUTION. NELSON/- July 17. As a counter-attack against the opposition of the North Island Press to the prosecution of the South Island Main Trunk Railway down the East Coast, Alarlliorougli and Canterbury are uniting to make an imposing -representation by means of a large and representative deputation to the Prime Minister and members of Parliament on Friday. The Nelson Progress League was asked to unite in the representations, and an emergency meeting was held at which the subject was discussed in committee, and later with Hon Air Atmore. As a result the Nelson League decided upon a different course of action from that of the sister provinces, and adopted the following resolution: “That the MaJrlboiVmgli Progress League he informed that relying upon the fact that the construction of the Main Trunk lines was one of the main planks in the election platform of the Party now in power under Sir Joseph Ward, and in view of his declared intention of loyally adhering to those planks, the Nelson Progress League re fuses to ,cast doubt on the good faith of the Government by urging it to do what it has promised to do, and is actively engaged in doing.”