“FILLING THE GAP”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 3 August 1929, Page 6

“FILLING THE GAP”

WE have heard criticism of what has

been described as “a half-hearted reference” in the Budget to 'the promised completion -of the Nelson-West Coast railway. The critics contend that while the Minister’s statement mentions that as soon as the surveys are completed on the. East Coast gap between Wharanui and Parnassus "tiic construction will be pushed on vigorously,” nothing so encouraging is said in connection with (his district’s persistent “till the gap” request. If this portion of the Budget is read again it will he seen that Sir Joseph \Vard clearly stales that “the remaining sections in the programme are those necessary to complete the lines from Nelson to Inangahua and Westport to Inangahua.” After mentioning that tho estimated cost of completing these lines is about £2.170,000, Sir Joseph adds: "This estimate lias probably been upset by the recent earlhouake, the full effects of which are not vet- known, and the proposed route of these lines will have to he re-examined bv the engineers.” That observation should not be regarded ns a "halfhearted reference.” li is certain that a re-examination is essential, and it would be unreasonable to expect a much more definite declaration on the subject. Representative delegates at a meeting of the Progress League quite recently expressed their confidence in the good faith of the Government in regard to the promised prosecution of the work and we should be reluctant to think that this expression was not justified. Tho earthquake upset more things than estimates, and the critics should not be hypercritical. Moreover, work on the line is actually in steady progress.