WAIKATO RIVER'S MILITARY VALUE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 573, 8 October 1920, Page 2

WAIKATO RIVER'S MILITARY VALUE.

The subject of defence recalls to jiuml tb» great value of the Waikato Riyj}£c*d»iring the Maori wars from naval and military standpoints. In New. Zealand we have been fortunate in that this country has always been far removed from the centre of the conflict, but in France, England, Germany and Russia the people have had painful experience of the disabilities that arise when all railway rolling stock and motor transport are comfor belligerent purposes. Should New Zealand become involved in a war in the Pacific we would lind the Waikato River of tremendous value, provided it was made as navigable as practicable. An aerial bombing 'plane let loose from m hostile warshrjfiiiight wreck railway biidv.es and .junctions, or similar damage might be done by spies or traitors blowing up these structures and so causing tremendous inconvenience and congestion of traffic. But the Waikato River could not be affected by any such simple processes. It is perfectly obvious that this superb inland waterway, which provides an alternative to about one hundred ntilcr*of the Main Trunk line, mi '.lit unckr certain conditions prove ;i very valuable asset, quite apart from iand drainage and ordinary navigation .r----viccs. Tins aspect of the liver's potentialities seems to have b;«.i aimost entirely overlooked, bui if '.hero is anything in the prediction- i.-" our foremost statesmen, writers, -.lilyr, and soldiers thai the Pad I'm- O i%u will one day be ihe testing pi; ee of nations in the arbitrament of war it is wise lo bear in mind these

factors in assessing the prospective utility of the V.aikato River,