THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1907. THE PROPOSED CANAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13483, 9 May 1907, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1907. THE PROPOSED CANAL.

_ ■»» ■■■»■■.■ The consultation between the Minister ; for" Marine and representatives of the Manukau Canal Company, held yesterday at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, was a necessary "preliminary to the securing of Governmental co-operation upon this great national project." We call it '•" national" for the sufficient reason that although it is primarily of local importance, its bearing upon the future of the entire colony is very much greater than its mere effect upon Auckland. If the Auckland Isthmus is cut through the colony, and the Empire will be in possession of a. waterway which will materially alter the commercial and naval position in this part of the world. At first, it is true, such a canal would only be available for vessels that in these days of great steamers are Comparatively small, but as its business increased and as the Manukau was gradually opened for first-class Vessels it would be certainly deepened and enlarged until great freightcarriers, ocean liners, and even large battleships could safely pass from coast to coast by way of the Whau. This ■ would not • only be immensely useful to our colonial commerce, effecting economy in time and expense which would react advantageously upon every;;: New Zealand port, but would establish a harbour of refuge and naval base of tremendous value. It is only necessary to glance at the map of our islands to estimate the national importance of such a peculiarly private . and easily protected waterway, which would be sheltered by any forts erected for the protection of Auckland and could be absolutely , closed against all intruders as long as the isthmus remained in our hands. This consideration will doubtlessly have ,; occurred to the Government and should assure the project any assistance in that quarter which can be reasonably expected at the present time.

. But while we may expect the countenance and assistance of the colonial authorities in the very practical scheme which has been advanced for the fulfilment of the project, it is .to our own local authorities, that we have to look for its actual initiation. For whatever national benefits would be ultimately derived from a Manu-kau-Waitemata Canal, the more immediate ;■ benefits would come to the trade .and commerce of the twin ports. It would link together the now divided coasts of Auckland Province and terminate permanently the delay and expense of those transhipments which so greatly handicap the commercial expansion of the Northern capital. It is now very generally understood that we cannot possibly attain to our full commercial status until the narrow neck of land thai separates the opposing waters is cut through. The Harbour Board is understood to recognise this and to be as well disposed towards the scheme ', as ah authority which is expected to find the money can be before the whole thing has been thoroughly threshed out. As was pointed out to Mr. Millar, the two harbours must be brought under one jurisdiction before it is possible for a Harbour Board to commit itself to a project which will make them practically one and the same. This is not a new suggestion, but various happenings have delayed a union to which there appears to be no \ objection in any influential quarter; and we" hope that during the coming session a Bill for this purpose will be put forward by the Government, apart altogether from any measure which may deal with the more contentious matter of harbour boards generally. If in addition an Enabling Bill is passed authorising the united harbours board to borrow for canalising purposes affairs will be in trim for definitely considering what can be done. If the scheme now in view is -: confirmed by engineering authorities there is every prospect that a very considerable quantity of canal debentures would be taken up locally. What is wanted at the moment 'is simply that the Government should further the matter in the way pointed out, and from the tone taken by Mr. Millar yesterday his very cordial assistance will be given to that extent. ' : '* ' ' \'\ '

Connected with the ManukauWaitemata Canal scheme is another for the connection of . the Waikato and the Manukau. This has been partially surveyed, and Mr. Millar gave an understanding that the survey would be completed. The Waikato Canal stands upon a somewhat different basis to the Whau Canal, inasmuch as it would have to be a State work, while the latter would be a local one. There may at some future time be a Waikato Conservation Board, but the commercial development of that river must follow and cannot precede its union with the Auckland harbours. We have repeatedly pointed out the great importance of developing the great inland water system, which heeds such a small amount of engineering work to call into existence. Long before the coming of the pakeha the Maoris perceived the close relationship between the three waters and brought them together < by portage routes which completely served the needs of their time. To construct the Waikato, as well as the Manukau, canal would be only doing in more civilised fashion what the Maoris in

their fashion did before us. It would be so vastly convenient to carry and travel by i water 'ld : the head of navigation on the .Waikato to the Auckland wharves that a largo trade would soon spring up, and the financial success of the second canal bo assured. "As the Whau Canal is the more important it should receive our more pressing attention; but when we consider 'its i business prospects the feeding from the Waikato should not be overlooked, even by those who are more directly concerned in the cutting of the isthmus. The most advisable . course might; be for arrangements to be made by which the two canals might be cut consecutively, the labour and the" plant being transferred from one to the other. It may appear somewhat premature to discuss procedure at the present undeveloped stage of the proceedings, but it was an exceedingly wise step to combine the two projects at the beginning, and every effort should be made to maintain harmony between them until the completion of both. . •