THE NORTHERN OUTLET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 12

THE NORTHERN OUTLET.

After what has been done with railway construction works already under way, it is natural to find curiosity aroused about the fate of tho proposed new northern outlet from Auckland City, better known as the Morningside tunnel. Strong recommendation of this work is on record, and the late Government had classed it as an enterprise to be undertaken within the near future. Questioned about its fate, the Minister of Railways is unable to say more at present than that it is receiving consideration from the Government. In other words, its fate is undecided, and thoso to whom it appears a work of first importance must wait yet a little while before they know whether their hopes will be crowned or whether disappointment is in store for them. The Herald has already suggested the only sound basis by which its feasibility should be judged, whether it is necessary from a railway operating point of view, whether by saving in running costs, grade easements increase in traffic facilities, release of rolling stock and promise of increased patronage of the line it would appeal to a strictly commercial railway concern sufficiently to induco the outlay of capital its construction would involve. If the Railway Department judges it on these lines, weighing all factors scrupulously, there can be no legitimate criticism of its decision whether it be for or against the new outlet. But in this instance it is legitimate to demand that when an announcement is made the facts shall be given full publicity. When the Taupo line was stopped, nq detailed facts were given showing how the crucial decision was reached. None has been given since. When the Palme rston North deviation was stopped, the particulars furnished were meagre, and, judged quite impartially, wholly inadequate to explain why the amount of money already expended had been turned into dead capital by a'stroke of the pen. The result has been endless argument accompanied by a good deal of disturbed feeling. Whether the verdict is for or against, a detailed justification of it in the case of the northern outlet would assure its reception in a much more equable way. It is to be hoped tho authorities mil recognise this and supply the facts.