Overseas Experience Quoted In Support Of Lyttelton Tunnel Road

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27911, 7 March 1956, Page 11

Overseas Experience Quoted In Support Of Lyttelton Tunnel Road

"The handling of cargo and shipping must go hand-in-hand with adequate road to the port of Lyttelton, frhis can only come with a vehicular kunnel between the port and the jrnetropolitan area.’" said Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon yesterday on his return tfrom a visit overseas, during which fre inspected many of the biggest ports kn Britain. J As a member and former chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. Mr Mac Gibbon has been a leader in the jresent scheme to develop the port of yttelton. and he has returned to Thristchurch even more firmly convinced than previously that the board thould lose no time in going ahead pith its programme. After travelling many times through the Mersey - Liverpool - Birkenhead tunnel built on a much bigger scale han would ever be contemplated for [rttelton, he believes that a vehicular tunnel soon forms part of the whole jansport system and, in fact, the life of the community. “Though I yet know what has happened while I have been away, I do hope that the feeling between town yid country will never raise its head gain, not only to the detriment of Lyttelton and Christchurch, but to the province of Canterbury as a whole,” le said. “After seeing many parts of Britain and other countries. I am satisfied that Christchurch and Canterbury have as great a potential for growth fs any locality I have seen. ••But achievement can only come about if the people will be progressive, recapture the pioneering spirit, and have the courage to go ahead with the major works that bring many good dividends to the communitv.” ' New Zealand produce was being narketed in Britain by excellent salesmanship, and as Britain was buying the major portion of New Zea-

land s produce the Dominion should glv ® Britain every preference in importations. Mr Mac Gibbon said. Zin esS x Britain is able to export she will not be able to buy.” Though there was an economic squeeze in Britain at present, the people had made a marvellous effort co keep up the volume of exnorts, and to reduce imports of ncri-essential goods, he said. This had already had its effect, and Britain’s gold reserves had gone up by more than £20.000.000 m January and by £61.000,000 in February of this year. “When the increased purchase tax was introduced in the Supplementary Buaget, we heard many complaints, but everyone realises that it was for ine good of the nation and they have great confidence that the leaders of Britain are steering the country on the right lines ” he said. Mr Mac Gibbon said he had met many political, industrial, and economic leaders in Britain, but heard none of them express anything but ® e highest admiration tor Sir Anthony Eden, though they agreed tnat he had a very hard task in following in the footsteps of such a magX tlc as Sir Winston Churchill. “From what information I could gather. Sir Anthony Eden will be given all the loyal support necessary to enable him to carry out his excellent programme,” Mr Mac Gibbon said. Social highlights of Mr and Mrs Mac Gibbon’s tour were visits to a military tattoo at Edinburgh Castle as guests of the Edinburgh Corporationto Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, as the guests of Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod: and to the House of Commons and House of Lords, with Sir Beverley Baxter as their escort.