The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1931 RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1931 RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Inn poncy ul the present Government with regard to railway eonstiaction has IJcL ‘ n suojectud to considerable criticism. i’oriuer legislation and Uov-

u aments bad committed the country to

various lines, but the stringency of iinaiKe lor the puulie works policy caused a revision. Despite the slogan ot Sir Joseph Ward to complete the main trunk lines, liis successors have hud to call a halt on several lines, duo first t« the shortage of money, and secondly, to the doubt about the lines Paying. This ( necessary halt, however, has been the subject of much criticism and agitation for works p> restart. The desire to create work lor the unemployment is being used as a special argument to continue constructional works, but the Government through stress of necessity is sticking to its resolve, even where its own supporters are involved, and they are urgent suppliants for the reconsideration of a policy in direct opposition to the promise of the late Prime .Minister. Of the works still going forward, the compPvLion of .the Fast Coast main trunk line of the South Island is certainly important. Much adverse criticism was put forward against the former Liberal Government which pushed the North Island main trunk line to completion, but that line has for long years nowjustified its accomplishment. So with the South Island main trunk, it, too, will serve the public most usefully, and lead to greater intercourse between the North and South Islands. The facilities for improved and comfortable transport will be the main factor to this end, and no doubt passenger trafficwill increase in a similar ratio to that of the North Island. This development must have an all round effect on trade, and by tapping so much newcountry. settlement and developmentmust advance more rnnitllv. It- is to he hoped that the finances of the country will permit the construction works to continue iininlorrupt-edly, and that in the not distant future, the line will be an accomplished fact through to Picton. In that day the Coast must derive a benefit also. It will then bo possible to travel within three hours or so of Wellington, by train, and only I lie short crossing of Cook Strait by boat will have f.o be faced. The convenience of all this will be a lever to encourage more and more traffic, for many baulk at the present sen journey between Lyttelton and Wellington. That obnlaolc removed, and passenger traffic will grow rapidly. It- will bo realised of course, that passenger traffic alone will not support a railway line of such length, but with the increasing passenger traffic, goods transport will grow also, and the line will advance steadily in its usefulness and importance. Sir Joseph Ward had a very clear vision of the future of the line when lie advocated the completion of tills main trunk connection, and it is to ho hoped in the interests of the future of the South Island in particular and New Zealand in general, that it will he possible to prosecute the completion of trie railway to an early accomplishment.