THE HAAST PASS ROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22958, 13 August 1936, Page 10

THE HAAST PASS ROAD

Those local bodies in Westland, and the Expansion League in Otago, which have long pressed for a road connection between this provincial district and the West Coast are entitled to claim a triumph of advocacy. The Government’s announcement that a highway will be constructed over the Haast Pass, opening up a hitherto practically inaccessible area of the South Island, is the reward of a vigorous and determined campaign. There may be two opinions as to the practical value of the road. Its champions have faith that it will make available land for settlement, and certainly it will provide access to a great area of timber, of considerable potential value. There can be no question as to the usefulness of the road as an additional tourist attraction. New Zealand has always realised that in the south-western portion of the South Island the Dominion possesses a magnificent scenic asset. Until comparatively recently, however, most of these natural beauties were hidden from all but the more adventurous travellers, who were prepared to expend a great deal of energy and to endure some personal discomfort in their search for them. The new Eglinton road, which is to be constructed to the Sounds, and the Haast Pass route will, in conjunction with tjie existing means of access, lay open the heart of this splendid area, and provide visitors with hundreds of miles of highway through rich and varied scenery The expenditure on the Haast Pass road, which the Government sets at a half million pounds, will be regarded in some quarters as unwarranted. But even if the cost proves greater than this estimate, as it may do, it is necessary to remember that the expense will be distributed over a fair period of timfe. The construction of the road will provide work for numbers of men who, under the present Govern•ment’s policy, would presumably be employed elsewhere on standard wages, if not on this project. There is much to be said for utilising the labour available on schemes which, even if they may not be immediately productive, will, in the long view, have a definite value. The Dominion has scarcely turned the first pages in its history, and must continue to develop its resources. It can honestly be said that the linking of Otago and South Westland will be a substantial contribution to the achievement of this purpose.