THE CANAL QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 90, 16 April 1913, Page 4

THE CANAL QUESTION.

In our opinion the Auckland Industrial Association -has taken a wise and judicious step in convening a conference of local bodies to consider the various schemes that have been so long before the public to connect the Waitemata, the Manukau, and the Waikato River by means of canals. All these projects have been discussed in a desultory fashion for many years past; there is certainly a great deal to be said for them; and it is time for some authoritative information to be put formally before the local bodies, and for some attempt to be made to act upon it- Yesterday's meeting was concerned primarily with tbe proposal to connect the Waitemata with the Waikato; and many of the speakers were evidently -inclined to look upon the Whau Canal project as too expensive. Mr Mcnnic remarked that what the Auckland Chamber of Commerce contemplated was a canal deep enough for vessels drawing 22 feet, which would cost probably £800,000. But several of those present at yesterday's meeting were disposed to regard a much more humble project as preferable, at least a temporary expedient. A barge canal connecting the upper part of tbe Manukau with the Tamaki would certainly not cost much; it would render a 'large area of land on the upper harbour available for reclamation; and it could be linked up with the Waikato with «relatively little trouble or expense. It is certain that the extension of our system of inland commuawation by mean* of waterway*--i_

highly desirable, as the cost of .transit on rivers and canals must always be far less than by rail. The success of the canal systems of -France and Germany is sufficient to prove that Auckland City and district, might 6ecure immense material advantages from such a scheme, if only the expenditure could be kept within- reasonable bounds; and, therefore, we hope that the .Auckland Harbour Board wi}l .accept the recommendation of yesterday's conference, and after getting the best expert advice available, convene another meeting of local bodies to discuss what course had best be adopted to secure the objects in view.