CHRISTCHURCH CANAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13872, 5 October 1908, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH CANAL.

•—_ ' PRESS OPINIONS. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Christchurch, Saturday. Concerning the canal scheme, the Press'; remarks, . " The question as to whether Lyttelton Harbour should be practically 'scrapped' and whether the district should be burdened with an enormous loan for the purpose of constructing a ship canal is not one that ought to be considered and carried on a wave of emotion. The formation of the Canal League we regard as a step in the right direction, inasmuch as one of the chief functions of such a league will be to promote investigation into every aspect of the case." The Times states, "We* are faced "with the certainty that in the i near future it will be necessary to undertake costly extensions to the, harbour accommodation at Lyttelton. In estimating the cost of the canal we must not lose sight of the fact that a very large sum: of money will shortly have to be raised by way of loan, and if we must spend at the least half a million or three-quarters of a million sterling in the construction of:a:new harbour somewhere, the canal question is surely simplified. The public have to choose between £700,000 ■■ on a harbour at Gollan's Bay and spending, say, twice 5 that sum on a canal between Sumner and Christchurch. i There is one point { of: prime importance to be considered on the financial side of the matter. v It is that with the elimination of the Railway the Canal Trust would be able to levy canal dues up to 4s a ton over and above the existing harbour dues on all goods, without increasing the present cost to importers and exporters.* The trade of Canterbury has grown in spite of the disabilities and difficulties of transport, and it will continue to grow. If the people of the province are united in demanding the construction of the canal' no Government will venture to thwart them, and if the scheme wins the earnest and measured approval of the public it .will be carried through successfully."' v ' _ About 250 persons have joined the Canal League. ■ ■■■ . . .