Grey River Argus and Blackball News MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1922. OTIRA TUNNEL.

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1922, Page 4

Grey River Argus and Blackball News

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1922. OTIRA TUNNEL.

E Ru D stOti. De’:, i

It is to be hoped that the Government does not make the Wiltshire wreck an excuse for holding up the work of completing the Otira Tunnel. The Minister intimates that some electrical apparatus for this lino has been lost in the Wiltshire, but does not give any indication of its extent or importance. Some weeks ago the Prime Minister suggested that the engineering trade lock-out in England might delay the electrification of the tunnel, and he likewise was very indefinite about the actual details of the anticipated delay. If there is anything lacking, it cau be ordered at once, for the engineering trouble looks like ending at Home. Admittedly a big undertaking like the tunnel is apt to prove a source of worry to the Public Works Department, but the delay that has already occurred has been too great, and it should not be regarded as any reason for further hanging up the job. It appears as if the Government is quite ready to seize upon any excuse for going slow. Mr Massey should honour his promise to complete the work this year, no matter bow much extra effort it may require. It is a question whether the loss of interest on the capital expended may not be greater than any outlay nec-

essary to obtain quickly such apparatus as remains to be imported. We suggest that the Minister should not stop to lament and contemplate the drawbacks of a go slow policy, but should rather resolve that nothing Shall stand in the way of opening up the tunnel for traffic before the end of the year. Surely six months is ample time for overcoming all obstacels. It scorns quite clear this is a case where, if there is a will, there’s way, and the public of tho West Coast aud Canterbury should should to-day, at their deputation to the Primo Minister at Christchurch, tell him plainly the wreck of tho Wiltshire cannot be accepted as an excuse for hanging up this national work. The Public Works Minister may regard this as an opportune moment to speak of. obstacles, but the provinces interested must make the Government understand they want the lino that has taken over a generation Io carry out brought to fruition al once.