"GREAT WHITE TRAIN."

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 22 November 1927, Page 9

"GREAT WHITE TRAIN."

EXHIBITION ON WHEELS.

MANUFACTURERS DISCUSS IT.

MATTER DEFERRED FOR A REPORT.

Proposals for a "great white train similar to the exhibition train which toured Australia were discussed at the conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation this morning, Mr. Frank Campbell, vice-president (Wellington), presiding in the absence of Mr. Sutherland Ross, who was accompanying Mr. L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions, on a visit of inspection to Chelsea sugar works. Mr. W. H. Honey, the promoter of the scheme, explained the project at length. The actual cost of the train would amount to £19,000, including £300 preliminary expenses. On his figures space could be sold up to the value of £19,200. The train would consist of two passenger cars and 21 exhibition wagons. ' It would start out on March 1, 1928, and would be six weeks in the North Island and a similar time in the South. A week would be occupied in transporting the vehicles between the two islands. The train would travel 3000 miles, and 60 towns would be visited. In addition to other attractions, the Railway Department would be prepared to run excursions from outside districts to centres at which the great white train would stop.

Mr. J. A. C. Allum (Auckland) said his association supported the proposal, but whether it was desirable to run the train over both islands was another matter. Auckland and Wellington had discussed the matter as far as the North Island was concerned. He added that he thought that this was a case for Government assistance.

The conference then went into committee, and on resuming in open council the chairman reported that it had been decided to ask the Auckland and Wellington Associations to go further into the matter and examine the project and report to affiliated associations not later than December 24.