ACROSS COOK STRAIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23649, 5 November 1938, Page 19

ACROSS COOK STRAIT

OPERATION OF TRAIN FERRY DISCUSSED BY TRAVEL ASSOCIATION THE " SOFT PEDAL" SUGGESTED (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 4. The operation of a train ferry across Cook Strait between Picton and Wellington was one of a number of proposals under the heading of "future plans" submitted to the annual conference of the South Islands Travel Association. Submissions were made by the association's director (Mr J. J. W. Pollard), but several members showed in a brief discussion that they were doubtful about the advisability of the association supporting such an objective. It was made plain by the chairman (Mr A. H. Allen) that the association could not be committed on the matter, and while the summary of the plans was approved, the chairman suggested that the Executive Council of the association should " use the soft pedal" on the train ferry proposal, and no definite decision was made.

The Proposal Outlined

Mr Pollard's proposal was outlined as follows: — -.-*.« . • "It must be recognised that Cook Strait is one of the barriers to traffic to the South Island from the North Island. Elsewhere in the world it has been demonstrated that a water journey is a barrier no matter how good the service across the water may be, and the association must work strenuously to reduce this handicap. Anything which will bridge Cook Strait should have the energetic support of this association. To this end anything which will cheapen or transport across the strait will be helpful. In this connection the elimination of wharfage charges or a reduction of all wharfage charges for motor cars to a uniform scale throughout the Dominion should be sought at all times. It is possible to envisage the introduction of vessels engaged exclusively, during the peak periods at least, in the carriage of motor cars across the strait. We can see that a train ferry across the stait would be of tremendous advantage. Such a service must come in time, and It win involve a great development in Picton, the enlargement of which could be a big factor in making payable business on the South Island Main Trunk line. "A train ferry is a 'bridge, and South Islanders should regard this development as one in which .the future of tourist traffic is directly involved. Mr C. H. Clibborn, honorary treasurer, suggested that the association would not be well advised to tie itself down specifically to any attitude on the proposal. If the clause went to the executive with power to act, he would not support the adoption of the report. Mr Clibborn was supported by other members, including the chairman, who said that if a train ferry did operate over the strait it would not be for very many years.

Mr Pollard claimed that the time had arrived for some decentralisation of the administration now centred in Wellington. "In New Zealand we have reached a stage where we must recognise that as we put our citizens further and further from the city centres we are increasing their rental costs by imposing transport charges on them. If numbers of State employees could be removed from Wellington to a place like Picton the result would be (a) the relief of congestion in Wellington; (b) lower building costs for departmental housing and ah extension of cheaper costs for employees, the building of a community at a point where it can affect advantageously the operation of the South Island Main Trunk, which apparently will be in operation in 1941 or 1942. , , x „. - " Off-hand, one might say that such departments as the Government Printing, Post Office, electoral, publicity, defence, and advances departments, the Lands Department, and public works and labour could make contributions to such a community through the removal of what may be roughly called the records section of their administration." t . a ~ The conference came to no definite decision on the specific clause.