SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1930, Page 4

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

A MEMBER’S ATTACK. ~ WELLINGTON, July 31. V The construction of the Souths Island, Main Trunk Railway, was the subjectof round condemnation by Mr C. A, Wilkinson (Eginont) during the debate on the Financial Statement. } Mr Wilkinson said he was glad that a com-. mission had been appointed to investigate the railways, but he regretted that the construction of new lines, had not been included in the scope of the, inquiry. He wondered whether the motorists of New Zealand,would haye to bear the burden of. the South Island Main Trunk line, which in his opinion would only be a white elephant. Was the motorist of the future to pay for file mistakes of the present Parliament? lie asked. “The Government,” lie added, “lias never yet shown any justification for building this railway.: Its construction was urged upon the Government by a sectipn of people in the South Island. Full information should have been supplied to the .f House before the undertaking was commenced. We should have that information now. We voted monej r for the work last year in the absence of it, and again this year we will be asked to vote further sums of money for something that will ho nothing hut a washout and a loss.” i "Do you know the country?” inquired Mr E. F. Healy (Wairau.) Mr Wilkinson; Not so well ns honourable member, who, perhaps, can supply the information we want.