SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1930, Page 5

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

MR COATES’S EXPLANATION

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

AUCKLAND, April 9

Interviewed in Auckland ,Mr Coates denied having reached the decision that the South Island Alain Trunk Railway should be proceeded with. “Any reference of the kind concerns the Midland not the A'tain Trunk railway,” he said. “Hie country through which the Midland Line will proceed lias been devastated by a. severe earthquake, and. in my judgment, it is unwise to carry out active construction on that route until a thorough investigation has been carried out, particularly concerning the effect of’ the recent earthquake, and the possibility of recurrences. 1 think my attitued regarding the South Island Alain Trunk Railway and all of the proposed railway lines for that matter, was made periectly plain in my speech in Parliament. We believe that before any new lino is consrueted, a competent body of men should investigate all the aspects in order to show whether or not a good road cannot, at this stage, economically serve the district through which the railway will run. In view of the important bearing that motor traffic lias upon transport economies at tho present day, it . is very desirable that a proper investigation should be made in each case before plunging into heavy expenditure.”

EFFECT Alll COATES’S ATTITUDE

AUCKLAND, April 9

Commenting on the telegram from Blenheim,' Air Coates said that the members of the Reform Pan-ty, Air H. Holland (Christchurch) included, would remember that the attitude of the Party was clearly defined when the matter was discussed in the House last session. He said:—“So far as the South Island Main Trunk line is concerned, the Party considers that if an impartial survey of the ease shows that its construction can be justified, then the work would go ahead, but all technical evidence dearly shows that great caution should bo exercised. As to the Alidland line, I am definitely of opinion that the construction work there should cease, until a thorough investigation has been made, particularly oi the effect of the recent earthquake ■by which part of the route was badly shaken. In any case the country should- be made aware of the position as to whether a profit or loss is to he faced by the constructions of any line.”