S.I MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1929, Page 15

S.I MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

DEPUTATION IN. SUPPORT WORK DEFINITELY DECIDED ON. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. By Telegraph..—Press Association. Wellington, Last' Night. Facts, figures and estimates in great detail wore marshalled by a deputation representing numerous South Island public bodies and progress leagues, headed by Canterbury and Marlborough interests, which waited on members of the Government to-day to give support to the proposal for the completion of the South Island Main Trunk railway. The Prime Minister stated that work had been commenced already and that with the help of Parliament this session the Government intended to obtain authority for the construction of the line. The majority of members, he said, were in favour of the project. The Ministers present were the Prime Minister, Minister of Railways (Hon. W. B. Tavernor), Minister of Lands (Hon. G. W. Forces), Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. P. A. de la Perelle), Minister of Justice (Hon. T. AL Wilford), Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. J. G. Cobbe), Minister of Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom), Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy), and the Minister for Native Affairs (Sir Apiarana Ngata). Many members of Parliament were also present.

Mr. J. E. Strachan, ex-president of the Canterbury Progress League, the chief speaker for the deputation, said the fair probability of paying working expenses, at least in the initial stages, would be sufficient to justify the construction of the line. Dealing with the national and economic aspect, Mr. Strachan quoted figures to show that South Island development had been strangely retarded in comparison with the North Island development. In economic, and industrial aspects the South Island was not pulling its weight. If South Island development could be accelerated to keep step with that of the North Island, the Dominion as a whole would be more prosperous, The North Island had through rail connection from Wellington to the north of Auckland, while the South Island was virtually beheaded by the gap in the trunk line. The North Island had two major ports on- the Pacific traffic routes, but owing to the existing break in the trunk line the nearest available South. Island port wag 175 miles further away, whereas in Picton the South Island might have a terminal port as advantageously placed as was Wellington. The first step towards raising the commercial status of Picton obviously was to connect Picton with the South Island trunk railway system. Mr. Strachan wag supported by Messrs. R. F. Goulter, Dr. W. E. Redman, W. J. Girling, and A. J. Murray, of Marlborough, and S. B. Donald, of Otago. Replying to the deputation, the Prime Minister said that the deputation and the Government were one in- sentiment in connection with the railway. The Government had proclaimed its intention of getting the authority of Parliament to put the lino through, but he was very glad they bad come to support the project because outside of the Government and those members of Parliament who were favourable to the making of the railway there had been an effort to create a false public opinion about it. He stated he was satisfied that the railway would pay and that Parliament would authorise its completion this session. In conclusion he stated: “I hope you will take my assurance and the assurance of my colleagues that the work will be gone on with, and you can go back to your homes as happy as if the system had alreadyv been completed.” (Laughter and applause),