THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14065, 20 August 1913, Page 4

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

The Otira tunnel was the subject of a special resolution by Mr K. Hill, who moved: that in the opinion of this incotin» tho continuance of work at the Otira tunnel is detrimental to tho best interests of the Dominion. That the money now being expended, will give ho profitable return, while if it were used for affording the means of communication, now wanting, in districts such as the East Coast, wlmro there is abundance of fertile land’ an immediate and profitable return would ensue. That in consideration of tho general feeling that prevails throughout tho Dominion against proceeding further with this work, no provision should be made on the Estimates for its continuance. That this. resolution shall be forwarded, to tho Minister for Public Works for his early and /favourable consideration.” i'dr Hill, said he thought the expenditure on tho Otira tunnel would arouse antagonism in every part of the country, and he hoped that the different electorates would instruct members to vote against any further allocation for tho Otira tunnel work. Otherwise th<;y should bo threatened with their "walking tickets.” The motion was discussed at some length, as was also an amendment that the League shohld ask for the expenditure of in the North Island for every ,£1 spent in the South Island, but tho former was eventually withdrawn, and the latter ruled out of order by the chairman, who with othtr, speakers Boomed to fear that the motionr. if passed would hostility of southern members. There’Can ; ba no

question that the. Otira tunnel and the Midland railway' generally is a most wasteful and ’extravagant project. Year after year, when urgeutly-uccded lines in the North Island were being refused and starved, large sums were annually placid an the Estimates for this unnecessary Midland ''while elephant, which when completed wul for many years to come Rule mure than pay for the axle grease for the rolling stock on the line. Sct'.iemeut will not be assisted, there is little or no cultivable land to bo opened up, and the only traffic to be expected will be the heavy coal freight secured in competition with water carriage, the cheapest carriage known -to man. The money spent on this expensive com (ruction would if utilised for railway building in this island have opened np hundreds of thousands of acres of magnificent laud and returned a handsome profit on .the outlay.