THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22056, 12 March 1935, Page 8

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

It is time a wider public concerned itself with the question of a harbour bridge. The proposition is developing in a direction that calls for this. Some time ago the talk was all of sufficient capital being obtained from abroad to finance the whole project. With this possibility held out, public opinion was prepared to accept the scheme and see it brought to an issue. It is true that a commission which reported in 1030 said the proposition was 20 years before its time ; but that need have been no deterrent if financiers overseas had decided otherwise with sufficient certainty to supply the capital. At the time when optimism was at its height, during the middle of 1933, it was definitely stated that all the funds required could be had without involving local bodies in any rating liability as security for the money. Later, in fact at the beginning of the present year, a new note was heard. It was then definitely stated that the full amount required to build the bridge was available at 41 per cent provided that four local bodies, including the City Council, guaranteed payment of the interest and sinking fund. Last, the interests concerned have appeared asking for a subsidy from the Unemployment Board and the Main Highways Board to serve as the basis of a debenture issue. At the instance of the Minister whom the deputation interviewed, the question of local body assistance was raised, but practically all the response from those present was a suggestion that some contribution might be made toward maintenance costs. These developments show the decided departure that has been made from a scheme for a bridge wholly financed out of private capital. Sir Alexander Young left little hope that anything more would be forthcoming beyond the wages subsidy promised long ago under definite conditions. There remains the underlying question of bringing local body rates into the arena. If they arc to be involved, there will be no justification for the scheme proceeding on the basis of a charter held by a private company. The work must be done by the local bodies themselves, if or when they are convinced that the time has come for a harbour bridge to be built. In that connection it must not be forgotten that in 1930 a competent commission said that the time was 20 years ahead ; nor, that since those words were written, the rate of increase in population has decreased even below the meagre level then existing.