COMPLETION OF NELSON RAILWAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 28 September 1934, Page 7

COMPLETION OF NELSON RAILWAY

(To the Editor) Sir, —I mast congratulate the Nelson Progress League for the stand it is taking re the railway on the Nelson section. To close this line at the present time, when things are brightening up would be one of the most staggering blows to both Nelson, Murchison and the whole of the West Coast. I cannot understand the Government not completing the Midland Line and doing the people a grave injustice by trying to close down the Nelson section. Is there any Minister of Parliament who has the remotest idea of the amount of stuff carried by lorries through the Puller Gorge? This would make freight for the Railway if the line was completed. It is ridiculous for the Government to expect the Nelson section to pay and it never will pay until the line Is completed right through to the Inangahua The cost of maintaining the dredges, which are deteriorating every day on the Grey and Westport Harbours through Govenv ment neglect is very great. The Government will be compelled to build this railway in the near future because the harbours are silting up. A few years ■ago a ship could go into Westport harbour and load 4 or 5 thousand tons of coal. At the present time they cannot load that many hundred tons of coal.

The reason why the construction of the midland Railway was stopped was through the engineers putting such an excessive price on the work, which made it prohibitive for any Government to build a line. When the cost of construction was worked out by facts and figures, it yras proved it could be constructed at about half the cost. The Government is losing a golden opportunity at the present time by not getting the line completed while labour is cheap. It would break the heart of a stone to see all our dole money wasted on unproductive work and the time will come, when the Government finds out it has made one of the biggest blunders by not completing the Midland line. Mr Editor, I feel proud of the Nelson Provincial Progress League for taking such a firm stand in the matter. I cannot understand the Murchison League not doing the same. They are all rtien living and making a good living out of the district and should have the whole of the district at heart.. I should- like to see them take an interest in Railway matters in the future, as I always look on completing of the lines as the back-bone of the country, as it gives a free access in the development of land for settlement. I am, etc., M WILKINSON, Murchison, 27th September.