COOK STRAIT TRANSPORT

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 2

COOK STRAIT TRANSPORT

Inquiry Committee Set Up

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 18.

A four-man committee is to carry out the inquiry promised by the Government into future forms of transport across Cook Strait.

The committee will hold public sittings in Wellington, and, if necessary, in Nelson and Blenheim. Its membership as announced by the Prime Minister (Mr S. G. Holland) today is: Mr C. H. Perkins, of Christchurch (chairman); Mr H. G. West, of Nelson; Mr W. B. Parker, of Blenheim; Mr P. N. Cryer, former director-general of the Post and Telegraph Department.

Mr Holland said the committee had been given the responsibility of inquiring into the most suitable method of transport across Cook Strait between the Wellington area and the northern part of the South Island, with particular reference to the carriage of motor vehicles and passengers. Other Decisions

The inquiry is one of three decisions announced by the Government last month. The other two were that the Government had made arrangements with the Union Steam Ship Company for the Tamahine to carry on the Wellington-Picton steamer service for a period of up to fotir years, the Government to meet losses which might amount to £50,000 a year; and to postpone a decision on the proposed vehicular ferry until a fuller examination had been made of likely transport developments in the area.

“I hope that 'all organisations interested in the development of Cook Strait communications will appear before the committee to assist it in its inquiries,” Mr Holland said. ‘‘The Government’s own inquiries have shown that a great deal of money is involved in any solution to the Cook Strait transport problem, and it has taken steps to ensure that the existing service is maintained until the most satisfactory answer can be arrived at.”