FERRY TRAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21186, 5 November 1938, Page 22

FERRY TRAIN

Bridging Cook Strait Suggestion To Travel Association By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, November 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 Island Travel Association. The 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 a 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. Proposal Outlined Mr Pollard outlined his proposal 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 ?. water journey is a barrier, no matter how good the service across the wrter 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 the cost of transport across the Strait will be helpful. In this connection the elimination of wharfage charges, or the 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 Strait would be of tremendous advantage,” said Mr Pollard. “Such a service must come in time, and it will involve great development in Picton, the enlargement of which could be a big factor in making payable business on the South Island main trunk line. The train ferry is a ‘brdge’ and South Islanders should regard this development as one in which the future of the tourist traffic is directly involved." Mr C. H. Clibborn, honorary treasurer, suggested that the Association would not be well advised to tie itself 1 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. Some Distance Off 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, asked to elaborate on his views, claimed that the time had arrived for some decentralisation of the administration now centred in Wellington. “In New Zealand we have reached the 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 the numbers of State employees could be removed from Wellington to a place like Picton, the result would be:—(a) Relief of congestion in Wellington; (b) lower building costs for Departmental housing and extension; (c) cheaper costs for employees; (d) 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. Offhand one might say that such departments as the Government Printing, Post Office, the Electoral, Publicity, Defence and Advances Departments, Lands Department, 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." The conference came to no definite decision on the specific clause.