CHANNEL TUNNEL SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19240, 2 August 1924, Page 7

CHANNEL TUNNEL SCHEME.

REVIVAL OF INTEREST. (Fhou Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, Juno 19. Baron Emile B. d’Erlanger, presiding at tho meeting of the Channel Tunnel Company (Limited), said that the board considered that the Channel Tunnel was an engineering project worthy of their times; it would cement friendship with France, confer inestimable benefits upon the communities of both, countries, provide work for thousands of men for many years, and foster trade between England, France, and tho whole of the European Continent. In saying that it was an engineering project worthy of their times, ho did not wish in any way to emphasise the difficulties of the task, because the very careful studies that had been made showed it to he relatively easy compared with many other tunnels which had been made in this country, but it would be the longest tunnel in existence m the world apart from underground railway tunnels in cities. Tho resulting development of trade, with the Continent would, he thought, confer untold blessings upon this country. . There had been of late a revival of interest in the scheme, which had sprung up quite spontaneously, and had not been fomented in any way by the company. That movement had issued from the House of Commons itself, and the Prime Minister had made a statement in the House that he was ready to receive a deputation of the Committee of tho House of Commons that was supporting the scheme. He (the chairman) was very hopeful that under the present Government the scheme would receive at last the favourable consideration that it deserved, and that liberty would he given to the members of the House of Commons when the project appeared before them to vote according to their own consciences and beliefs, and without any interference by the Government Whips. In that case he felt as certain as he could that the project would be received and accepted by an enormous majority in tho House. Ho expected to be a member of the deputation, because it was thought that the Prime Minister would want to put some onestiona as to the means by which the tunnel could ho financed. He entertained no doubt whatever as to the money being raised if the scheme was approved. When once the pilot tunnel had been driven, he believed that tho whole world would bo only too eager to subscribe for shares m the company. (Applause.)