CHANNEL TUNNEL IN FAVOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1121, 12 July 1913, Page 4

CHANNEL TUNNEL IN FAVOUR.

The Channel Tunnel is once more being talked about in the House of Commons, and there is a possibility that before long the much discussed project may be adopted after all. There has been a considerable change of altitude on the part ot many members of and of authorities on nav;:l and'military problems, who not many years ago were opposed to the idea of a Channel tunnel. Mr Arthur Fell, M.P., who takes a keen interest in the scheme, believes this is the case. ‘T have made nothing like a canvas of all the members,” he said, “but so far as I can see I certainly think that there is now a majority in the House in favour of the tunnel. It is in no way a party question, and many of those who opposed the original scheme years ago have changed their views.

“There are various reasons for the change of opinions which has taken place all round. In the first place there is our friendship with France. Thirty years ago the old soldiers in cammand of the army were always thinking ot the danger ot an invasion by France. That has died out. The Eiberals are in favour of the tunnel because they believe it would bring us into closer touch with the French and would promote even more cordial relations between the two countries.

“There is another consideration —food supplies in case of war. In the event of war with any Power other than France —and no one ever thinks of war with France —the Channel tunnel would enable us to import food without fear of interruption. A tunnel would thus be one safeguard against panic in the event of war. “But it is not for strategic purposes that I am in favour of the tunnel. It is because I think it would be good for commerce, good for the relations between England and France, and good for the progress of both countries. The military objections seem to have gone since friendship with France has been established. The French were never afraid of our using the tunnel to invade France. They were always in favour of it, and the capital could now be raised in France any day if English people do not believe in the commercial future in the scheme. My own view is that it would be as big a commercial success as the Suez Canal.”