THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21281, 7 September 1932, Page 8

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

The harbour bridge project, has been inspired by the spirit of enterprise that has made Auckland the most progressive city in the Dominion, and its originators have performed a public task in investigating its possibilities. It seems, however, that the scheme is ahead ; of its time. Under the extraordinary economic circumstances prevailing l at present there, is little to encourage the hope that the bridge is within the realm of practical achievement Outside capital has explored the financial aspect of the question, but. even with the strong inducement of contracting profits it is not prepared to invest the substantial sum necessary. Postponement, therefore, seems to be inevitable until a. return of prosperity and increased development justifies the construction of this great public utility. The company suggests that, the Unemployment Board should guarantee the interest on a large loan on the ground that the construction of the bridge would provide a large amount of employment, but however attractive this idea may seem to those anxious that relief work should be utilised for the creation ol public assets, it is hardly likely that the board or the Government will consent to engage in such a scheme, if only for the reason that it would localise to an extreme degree the expenditure of the special taxation. Furthermore, its assistance in such a work would create a *precedent which it could not possibly follow elsewhere. The harbour bridge, therefore, must remain a project for a brighter future.