THE PANAMA CANAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 13

THE PANAMA CANAL.

ADEQUATE FOR 20 YEARS.

GREAT INCREASE IN TRAFFIC.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE CUT. [FROM our own correspondent.!] SAN FRANCISCO, May 1. The general manager of the Compagnio du Canal de Suez, Mr, George E. Bonnet, who has inspected the Panama Canal, expresses tho opinion that it will serve for 20, years more. "The only real difficulty the canal is facing now," Mr. Bonnet said, "is that at some times of the year there is not enough water available from Gatun Lake to operate the locks easily, arid frequently not enough to handle traffic. The only thing to do is what they are doing now—building a dam on the Chagres River, which- flows into Gatun Lake, to conserve tho water during the web season for tho dry." Mr. Bonnet said it was a pity this had not boon done two or three years ago. An average of 19 boats a day now use the canal, he says. When tho dam is completed in five or six years the canal should be able to handle 70 vessels a day, instead of the present probable maximum of about 40. The statistics of the Suez Canal, which compare very closely with those of this waterway, and are availabl© over a longer period, show that traffic is doubled about every 10 years. This would make the Panama Canal adequate for another 20 years. A deepening of the Gaillard Cut, reduction of the quantity of water needed for electricity and other methods of obtaining water should bo available to increase its future possibilities.

The increase in traffic has been so great that the United States is seriously considering the establishment of an alternative route. The Nicaraguan Canal has been surveyed a number of times, and the concession for construction has been secured Ijy the United States. Congress may discuss tho authorisation of the work at any moment, especially in view of the increased safeguard from the point of view of national defence, which is a very live topic in public discussion in the United States.