GISBORNE DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22697, 23 July 1948, Page 4

GISBORNE DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS

THE Gisborne Chamber of Commerce showed a sense of realism ' in arriving at the conclusion that nothing further can he done in the meantime by way of exerting pressure on the Government to complete at an early date the gap in the railway between Gisborne and Auckland. The chamber’s modified policy takes tlm form of keeping the project in mind while an improved northern highway is strongly advocated. It is wise not to lose sight ot the advantages of closing the railway gap, hut it must be apparent by now that the Government is in no position to undertake so costly and difficult a task in the.near future. The railways are reported to he costing the taxpayers about £3.000,000 a year and yet this State enterprise has nothing in the nature of a healthy financial position to show for it. An alert watching brief over, the situation is the best that can he done. Gishorr.r should certainly press for priority when any major railway developments are thought Piaf Meanwhile a better highway to the north is one of the essentials of communication, It is also necessary to maintain community interest in the earliest possible resumption of the full air service and in the establishment, during the intervening period, ot a ieecier amenity. We can rest assured, however, that the general manager of National Airways meant what ho. said when he stated that a feeder service would he started by the corporation as soon as Dnrton Field was licensed to take the necessary aircraft. Another important matter concerns the efforts which should he made to improve country reading. While the condition of arterial highways should undoubtedly he brought up to a high standard it Ts nevertheless imperative that settlers in the rural areas should o-ot something tangible in return for the heavy incidence of taxation which affects their livelihood. The intimation by the Finance Minister Mr. Nash, that the limit of Government help to counties has been reached is more than just disappointing. It is gravely disturbing. This Dominion cannot he regarded as a progressive nart of the British Commonwealth until access reading has boon rescued from its primitive state- In light of Mr. Nash s statement, the whole position calls for the closest examination by the authorities concerned.