CANTERBURY AND AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18180, 17 September 1924, Page 11

CANTERBURY AND AUCKLAND.

TO ISX EDITOR OP "TBI P-MSS."

Sir—l was present at-the mooting in the Caledonian Hall, last night. About tho necessity for electrifying the railway to Lyttelton, there is no rooin for a difference of opinion. That" is necessary from the point of view.of health and comfort, and-to facilitate tho more rapid transit of . rolling-stock. As-.t0.-the duplication' of the tunnel, there is room ior difference. Perhaps with the antiquated methods of the Railway Department it may almost be necessary, but let an English Railway . Company run our Canterbury railways and that ono tunnel, electrified, would cope with five or more times tho traffic for the nest 30 years. It seemed inevitable that Christchurch speakers should make comparisonfc with Auckland. Let the Government aapitaliso the expenditure, with, interest, on the making of the Midland line and the Otira tunnel, and these orators of last night would stand aghast! At any rate, Mr Massey's Government saw that.. undertaking through. Let them also consider the capital , expenditure with interest,, on many of tho. branch lines in Canterbur}-, such as the Bennetts line, the Mount fcsomers line, and others, and compare these.with -tho lines in the Auckland province. The comparison is very greatly in Auckland's favour. Again,-several speakers stressed. >tbe point that Auckland, at tie union of the provinces, presented the general Government with a debt of ono million, whereas Canterbury's gift was a debt of seventy pounds. But, how did Canterbury pay for her railways ? Did eho not do it by giving away the provincial lands ? How much Crown land of any worth to-day did Canterbury hand over to the State? .Goiiparo it with tbo land of enormous. value to-day which Auckland province handed over. lam not an Aucklander, but these comparisons are so childish and' will militate the chances of getting what is necessary.—Yours,,-etc., , -■•:■■■■■■'--■ SCOT. -t L'Scptember 16th.