Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1925 BATTLE OF THE ROUTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 7 May 1925, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1925 BATTLE OF THE ROUTES

THE report of the special committee set. up by the Canterbury Progress League to make recommendations on the comparative suitability of the East Coast (Wharcnui-Pcrnassus) and West Coast (Glenhope-Inangahua) sections of the uncompleted railway to serve as links in the Dominion’s main trunk line, is in favour of the East Coast route. It. would appear that, the recommendation has been made very largely upon the assumption that the East Coast route will eventually take all the passenger traffic between the North and South

.Islands. If litis through Ira Hie is the objective or the main objective, there is no doubt whatever that it would be absurd to extend the journey round via- Nelson and the West Coast. But should not railways be built primarily to develop the country? And on this score the .evidence, is overwhelmingly in favour of the West Coast, route, wilu eventually a connecting link down the Wairau from Glenhope to Picton. With such a railway system, the interests of the whole Island would be advanced, as all parts would be brought within reasonable distance of each othci. Iho isolated sections of railways can rn-xci be. made to pay, nor the various provinces develop as I hey should, until the. railways are completed. Through traffic is .already well eateied for by Hie night ferry service.- tend as a- sea journey will always hate to be included there will certainly not be much gain in making most, of the journey by land. When a. strong Canterbury Progress League delegation visited Nelson in 1921 members were, greatly impressed with tlio need for completing the West Coast. Mr Holland, chairman of the party, who made. a. very fine impression in' Nelson by the definite and impartial manner in which lie sought Jus m formation, said he had been tremendously 1 impressed from every point- of view,' with the necessity of linking up the Southern railway system. There i s on this mute a- gap of 55 miles m 700 miles of railway which, is retarding development in all directions. Speaking at an informal gathering .luring the 1021 visit, Mr Marrincr, chairman of the Railway Committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, said : He was now prepared to report that the. Duller Valley section -should certainly be completed as soon as possible* as- an indispensable part ot the South Island trunk railway sys - tem. quite apart from any question of the productivity of the cmnitry through which it would pass. So far as we Know, the Canterbury League made no pronouncement regarding the visit or report of the 1921 delegation. Recently another party from the League paid a visit to Nelson and 'Marlborough, and till; report published 10-dav is an outcome of that visit. It is, however, the Government, in whose hands the vital decision rests The Prime. Minister stated in August, iast that in his opinion the W est Coast, line would pay as a coal lino alone, and its construction would solve the Dominion s coal troubles, and in October ho said “The line must, be finished." The Minister of Public Works stated that the success of the hue depended upon .lie completion of the line from Nelson, Westport and lnangahua.