WILL IT PAY?

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 31, 6 August 1923, Page 3

WILL IT PAY?

TRUNK LINES COMPARED.

The connection of the East and West Coasts by railway to-day, though brought to fruition so many Years after the first conception, is now an accomPh^ d *ac, tj wntes the Minister of i übhc ttorks in a special message to the Christchurch "Press," "and cannot fail to nave a far-reaching effect upon the development, particularly on the West boast, which, ever since its first settlement, has suffered more or less from the want of adequate means of communication with the rest of New Zealand.

ihis railway occupies in the South Island much the same position as the Main Trunk railway occupied in the Aorth Island, and concerning which there were many croakers who prophesied that it would never be completed, and that if ever it was it would not pay for axle grease. The real facts are that within a very short time after the opening of that line traffic grew to such dimensions as to actually exceed the expectations of even the optimists, and I trust that the same result would be apparent within a short period after £he opening of the Midland Railway. But even if the railway may not for a time show a definite profit, it is a work, the benefits of which cannot be measured only by £ s. d. In the event of hostilities involving this country in war, the importance of this railway from a strategic point of view cannot be over-estimated, particularly as it would enable coal for the Navy to be railed from the mines on the West Coast to the easily protected port of Lyttclton without being at any point exposed to attack from the sea.

"Quite apart from financial profit to the railway itself, through railway communication must result in increased facilities, and, therefore, belter business to almost the whole population of the South Island, and will bring together the East and West Coasts both commercially and socially, and open up an era of progress and prosperity whose results will bo felt long after we are dead and gone."

The following telegram was received from Mrs. Seddon: "Hon. J. G. Coates, Otira, —I send congratulations and all good wishes on linking up of Westland and Canterbury, an event to which my husband always looked forward. Had he been with us great would have been his satisfaction. Regret my health prevents acceptance of invitation.—Janie Seddon."