MOSGIEL DEVELOPMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26228, 12 August 1946, Page 4

MOSGIEL DEVELOPMENT

When discussing the future expansion of the city of Dunedin recently, the Government Housing Controller, Mr G. W. Albertson, said: “There is a great need for industrial expansion in Dunedin and the' obvious place where it should develop is, in my opinion, Mosgiel and the Taieri Plains.” He added: “It seems to me that there is no reason why Mosgiel could not become a second Lower Hutt. Electrification of the train between the city and Mosgiel would certainly come if industries started on the Taieri.” This expression of opinion was a rather surprising one in view of the fact that only a few days before Mr Semple had outlined his ten-year plan fob the development of Otago and from it the electrification of the Port Chalmers-Mosgiel suburban railway line was one of the notable omissions. It appeared from the housing scheme in that plan that little more than the normal quota of building-was to be undertaken locally and it was pointed out in our editorial columns that the expected industrial development, which Mr Semple also appeared to be convinced could be anticipated, was not likely to be assisted unless there were inducements for workers to come south. The attitude of the Minister of Public Works regarding the Mosgiel Borough Council’s request for an improved rail service indicates that in this respect also the Department does not intend to embark on any far-sighted programme to assist development but prefers to postpone action and to follow in the wake of progress.

The Mosgiel Council has been very reasonable in its representations. Although a good argument could be presented for the initiation of the electrification scheme, which would serve the needs of the whole suburban area for an indefinite length of time, it has been prepared to accept the Department’s decision to leave this scheme in abeyance if an alternative railcar service could be granted to provide the much-needed improvement to the present train system. But the Department has been less than co-operative. It has simply advised that it is not possible at present to give an assurance that a railcar

service will be inaugurated and. it has not even given a promise that the Council’s claims would be recognised at the earliest possible date. This is far from being in keeping with the vision which Mr Semple endeavoured to conjure up during his recent visit to this city, but it does recall the impression, which was created by one of the Minister’s statements, that the plan was largely pre-election verbiage which', could be repudiated as desired,.