MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18368, 29 April 1925, Page 9

MAIN TRUNK LINE.

PROGRESS LEAGUES NOT

UNANIMOUS,

OTAGO REQUIRES FULL REPORT

(SFECIiL TO "THE PEZS3.") " INVERCARGILL, April 28. At the Progress Leagues' Conference to-da.y Mr W. J. Moffatt (Nelson) moved that the conference urge the necessity of completing the railway from Nelson to the West Coast, giving through connexion to Nelson, West Coast, Canterbury and Southland. Mr Mcffutt quoted statements and figure* tn «;linu- tV,« ,rv>™..* _r i:_ 1.

Mr Mcffutt quoted statements and figures to show the importance of linking u;> Nelson with Murchison. There was undoubtedly an urgent necessity for tho speedy completion of the railway running through, the length of the south Island and so connecting Nelson at the northern en I with hivercargill at the southern.' end. The only gap which remained was 55 miles in the Buller Valley, between Pikomanu and Inangahua. The declared policy of tho Government was to concentrate its efforts upon the rapid completion of trunk lines and in pursuance of that policy tho Buller Valley section had paramount claims. Comparing merits of the J3ulle r Valley section with those of tho East Coast route, advocated by Mr Goulter, the gai) in the former was only 55 as compared with the 80 miles required to connect up Wharanui and Parnassus. There would also be a great difference in the cost.

Mr Mac Donald complimented the delegates from Nelson and Marlborough on the fine addresses given. Unfortunately the representatives of southern leagues were not a.ble to'come to any finality on this great question-. So far as Otago was concerned it was determined that the main trunk line should be completed at the earliest possible moment, but the question of which was the better route was one on which ho felt tho delegates wore not prepared to vote that day. He was prepared, however, to give a promise that so 'far as Otago was concorned they would hold a meeting immediately the information w.-.s available and fully investigate the whole matter. Ho accordingly moved the following resolution: —"That having heard the delegates from Marlborough and .Nelson, this meeting is unable to express a definite opinion oni the merits of tho respective routes until their various executives had an opportunity of fully considering the evidence placed beforo this meeting;, and that the Canterbury, Nelson and Marlborough Leagues be requested to forward to Otago and Southland for their consideration full particulars and reports of the scheme. Mr P. R. Climio formally seconded the motion, which was carried without any further discussion. Mr Moffatt (Nelson) then expressed a wish that the copferenoo should pass a resolution- in regard to the NelsonMurchison line, and on his recommendation, the following resolution was carried: "That this conference of South Island leagues approves of the expressed intention of the Minister of Public "Works to complete the construction of the line from Kawatiri to Murchison and expresses the hope that the work will be accelerated."