LEWIS PASS ROAD.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20104, 6 December 1930, Page 17

LEWIS PASS ROAD.

COMPLETION URGED. (PBES3 ASSOCIATION TEUBOIULX.) INVERCARGILL, December 5. "That in view of the fact that notwithstanding the present stringent financial position, public works in the North Island of a similar character to those on the Haast Pass and Lewis Pass are being carried on, this Union recommends the construction of the Haast and Lewis Pass roads to the favourable consideration of tho Government," was a resolution unanimously carried by the delegates present at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day. Mr F. W. Freeman (Christchurch) said what he wished to advocate was an all-round tourist route by which motorists could travel from one end of the South Island to the other if they wished to do so, without being alienated from their cars. The chairman, Mr F. W. Johnston (Christchurch), said it seemed to him that an undue amount of. money was being spent in the North Island in developing their resources. A great amount of money was being spent there on roads, on bridges, and goodness knows how much was spent on the railway station at Auckland. "What we deprecate," he added, "is this expenditure in the North Island to the detriment of the South." Mr B. Falck (.Christchurch) said the completion of the route was of paramount importance to the South Island. The trouble was that the voting power in Pafliament was in the North Island. "I think we should press for it," he said. "Money is being spent. No one can hide that, but it is not being spent here. We should get our share." Mr M. M. Macdonald (Invercargill) said the ideal for which the Union should strive in its recommendations was to endeavour to get certain sections of the work completed, and gradually the whole chain. He referred particularly to the Kingston-Queens-town highway, on which a large sum had already . been spent. A resolution that the Haast Pass and Lewis Pass roads be constructed was carried.