SOUTH ISLAND WANTS MAIN TRUNK COMPLETED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 375, 8 June 1928, Page 16

SOUTH ISLAND WANTS MAIN TRUNK COMPLETED

COMPARISON WITH NORTH SUPPORT FROM AUCKLAND Press Association BLENHEIM, Thursday. At yesterday’s meeting of the Marlborough Progress League it was decided to begin an active campaign urging the completion of the South Island Main Trunk, from Wharanui to Parnassus. . After reviewing the history or the line and mentioning that the estimated cost of completion was £2,207,000 for the 76 miles, the president, Mr. R. F. Goulter, said the proposal of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to improve the inter-island communications by co-ordinating the train, steamer and motor services so that the travelling time from Auckland to Christchurch and the South could be materially shortened, should have support. About £1,100,000 was voted this year for railway construction in the North Island and less than £85,000 in the South. “The North has a trunk railway from end to end of the island/' said Mr. Goulter, “and is in a fair way of getting a second trunk line via the East Coast. Is it not time for the South Island to wake up and insist that its trunk system should be completed?" “With regard to motor competition, it need not be feared on this line, because motors could not successfully compete on the long distances." “We should use our best endeavours to secure support from Auckland," said Mr. F. Lissaman. “I think we will get more support from Auckland than from Canterbury, who, I think, have been very lukewarm in the matter." Mr. Lissaman moved that the Auckland Chamber of Commerce be supplied with all the facts in regard to the case for the completion of the railway. and that it be asked to support the' leagues’ agitation. It was suggested that in the event of a representative deputation proceeding to Wellington to request the Government to complete the line, the Auckland chamber be invited to be represented. This was incorporated in the motion, which was carried.