SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 9

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

SUPPORT FOR COAT T’LETTON (By Telegraph—Special to “The Mail") CHIUSTCIIUR.CII. This Day. In an editorial supporting the South Island Main Trunk deputation to Die Government, tin* “Lyttelton Times” says: “There appears (o lie a growing body of opinion in the transport world that other forms cannot provide an clticiciH alternative to railway services for long distance carriage, and while shorter lines may prove unequal to meeting the competition of I hose days I hat possibility eamiol be urged wilb equal force against Ihe completion ol u liiii‘ Unit would be the backbone of Ihe entire railway service in the South Island. Some critics in the north have declared Unit the passenger and Height traflic probable in the district served by Hie Parnassus Wliarnntii line would be siillieient to meet interest charges on tlie cost of construction, but that- surely is a very limited view because the link in the main line must benefit a very much wider area, and it is reasonable to claim in this case (hat improved facilities for communication hv rail would ho of benefit to the whole island. Tim presence on the deputation of delegates from Nelson and Marlborough down to Southland shows tins fact is recognised, and it is to lie hoped the l project, will be approached as a. national undertaking and not as a mailer affecting only tlie district, through which the railway will pass. . ■ • 'I be South Island' as a rule is not vociferous over its claims', but that should not be taken to indicate any lack ol conviction or ent liii.-iasm with regard to this undertaking, and (lie deputation should be able to convince members of the House who are disposed to be critical that there is unity in llio demand for the completion of the Main Trunk Line of the South Island. (Our conlemporaiy is in error in stilting that Nelson will be represented on the deputation, the Nelson Progress League having “refused to east doubt on the good faith of the Government by urging it to do whaf it lias promised to do and is actively engaged in doing.’’)