THE RAILWAY PROPOSALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 813, 6 November 1929, Page 8

THE RAILWAY PROPOSALS

THE large-hearted enthusiasm evinced by Cabinet Ministers earlier in the year has not been of much practical assistance to the Paeroa-Pokeno railway proposal, and the best to be hoped for from the Railways Authorisation Bill is an allocation of £5,000 for the purposes of a re-survey. A cursory examination of the route was made some time ago, but the new authorisation will allow more detailed figures to be compiled. After that there will be less excuse than ever for the sickening procrastination which has deferred the construction of this important line while others with the most vague prospects of success are being built through difficult country at tremendously heavy cost. Full value cannot be obtained from the East Coast railway while the PaeroaPokeno gap remains unbridged. Starting at Taneatua and ending at Paeroa, the East Coast line will continue, in its relation to the main railway system, to be a line from'nowhere to nowhere until it is linked up with the Main Trunk by way of the direct and logical route. Some element of inter-island feeling lias entered into the Parliamentary discussion of the larger schemes upon which the Government is at present concentrating. In view of the heavy outlay involved, the difficulties of construction, and the doubtful returns to be won when these lines are completed, it-is natural that tliere should be a great deal of acidulous criticism. Much of this is directed against the Government’s policy in pursuing the completion of the Blenheim-Christchureh line in the face of expert opinion as expressed in at least two important reports. It is only fair to add, however, that there is at least as much justification for the South Island venture as there is for the expenditure of huge sums in penetrating the mountainous coastal region between Napier and Gisborne. This East Coast line requires in places a whole succession of long tunnels and lofty viaducts. The line is cutting through some of the most difficult formation ever attempted by construction engineers, and the prospect of a paying return in passenger and freight traffic must at best be doubtful for a number of years. Although it achieved no practical purpose, the discussion on the Bill passed by the House early this morning at least served to show that party considerations could not prevail over the scruples of some of the members. Two Labour men, Messrs. Lee Martin and Mason, gave a fine demonstration of independence in supporting the amendment of tlie Leader of the Opposition. Since they were palpably unable to reconcile their views to the policy outlined by the Government, their vote will be respected. Mr. J. S. Fletcher was another member unable to agree with his party’s position. He and Mr. Mason, sharing a common disappointment over the Morningside Tunnel, may find little satisfaction in watching heavy expenditure in the South Island.