MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 153, 10 April 1930, Page 6

MAIN TRUNK LINE.

MR COATES DEFINES ATTITUDE. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 9. Commenting on the telegram from Blenheim (published yesterday) regarding the South Island Main Trunk Jine, Mr Coates said that members of the Reform Party, Mr Holland included, would remember that the attitude of the party was clearly defined when the matter was discussed in the House last session. "So far as the South Island Mam Trunk line is concerned, the party considers that if an impartial survey of the case shows that the construction can be justified then the work would go ahead," said Mr Coates, "but all the technical evidence clearly shows that great caution should be exercised. As to the Midland line, I am definitely of opinion that construction, work there should cease until a thorough investigation has been made, particularly of the effect of the recent earthquake, by which part of the route was badly shaken."

"We believe that before new line is constructed," Mr Coates added, "a competent body of men should investigate "all aspects in order, to .show whether or not a good road cannot at this stage economically serve the districts through which the railway is proposed to be built. In view of the important bearing that motor traffic has upon, transport economics «it the present day, it is very desirable that a proper investigation should be made in each case before plunging into heavy expenditures. In any case, the country should be made aware of the position as to whether profit or loss is to be faced by the construction of any line."