Ministers Disagree About Canal Building Scheme

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29767, 9 March 1962, Page 15

Ministers Disagree About Canal Building Scheme

I New Zealand Press Association

AUCKLAND, March 8. Two Ministers publicly disagreed over the possible building of a canal between the Waitemata and the Manukau Harbours at Otahuhu today. The Minister of Works (Mr Goosman) and the Minister of Lands (Mr Gerard) were at a meeting called by the local member (Mr J. M. Deas) of representatives of local bodies and other authorities to consider the future use of the land contained in the canal reserve at Otahuhu. Mr Goosman said discussions involving the possible building of a canal were 70 or 80 years too late. Visionary Ideas

“I have listened to these discussions with great interest,” he said. “I cannot believe that they are anything other than visionary.

“The city of Auckland has developed by reason of its roads and railways and I believe it will continue to do so. The most urgent matter on hand is the development and continuation of its arterial highways and its progress for many years relies on that. The highways must be pushed forward as rapidly as possible.” The Minister said that if ever the proposed canal was built it would not be for many years. He did not think there was a person present who would live to see it. Mr Gerard said he was unprepared to make any decision one way or the other until he returned to Wellington and considered various reports and other aspects of the proposal. Then, he might be prepared to suggest that the

matter might become one for consideration by the Cabinet, and the setting up of a commission or some other authority to inquire into all aspects of the proposal. “I am sorry to disagree with Mr Goosman,” he said, ‘‘but I cannot dismiss the possibility of a canal and can agree to some extent with Mr R. G. Savory, the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, in his opinions on the possible advantage to the development of industry in the area through the construction of a canal.” At the opening of the meeting Mr Murdoch said the Otahuhu Borough Council had been interested in a canal scheme for many years. The reserve had become waste land and it was considered that it could be used in many ways if it ceased to be a reserve. Housing Development . “If this land is to be used as a reserve, all right,” he said. ‘‘lf it is not, the council would like to develop it either for housing or something else.” Mr Savory said the Harbour Board thought the reconsideration of the canal scheme one of the most important developments in the Auckland area for 50 years.