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SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK,
[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]
WELLINGTON, August 10. A large deputation from Nelson and the West Coast, supported by the members of Parliament over the whole South Island, urged the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works to complete the railway gap between G.lenhope and Inangah.ua Junction, tire final link in the South Island Main Trunk. The Minister of Public Works said that the whole matter was summed up in the question which of the most urgent works should be .carried out, and the money available. A flying survey indicated that the West Coast construction to Murchison would cost £450,000, and to Inangahua £900,000; a total of £1,300,000. The most important feature was the traffic railway bridge over the Inangahua. Mr Massey suggested that a recent deputation of members on the subject could not say they had got an unfavorable reception. The line was the remaining gap in the South Island Main Trunk. He admitted everything that had been said about the national and financial importance, .and the strategic value of the line. It was always understood that when the Otira tunnel was completed the other lines would bo pushed forward ©nergeti-, cally. The line was going to he difficult to construct, but he was looking forward some day t.o opening it. There were 7,000 men on public works, including 2,000 who would be else unemployed; and although there was no financial difficulty on this side it meant' a good deal to keep these men going. Inangahua bridge would soon have to be taken in hand. The line would give access to Crown lands which were very essential, .and the deputation was perfectly justified in putting its claim earnestly before the Ministers. The Government would do the best according to its means, and ho hoped that before it became necessary again to com© to the Minister considerable progress would have been made with the lino, and it would be evident that the Government was thoroughly in earnest. (Applause.)
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19220810.2.61
Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 18043, 10 August 1922, Page 7
Word Count
335THE LAST LINK Evening Star, Issue 18043, 10 August 1922, Page 7
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