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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 80a

Railways in the South Island

Railways in the South Island.

In regard to the South Island, he did not suppose it would be considered reasonable to tunnel across from one small island and then to another island, and then across the Straits to Picton. It might be a vista of the far future, but the time would come when it would be possible to go by train from the North to the Middle Island. (Laughter and applause.) They could not tell what engineering skill would do. There should be communication from Blenheim to Christchurch, but the difficulties of land questions prevented that work from being proceeded with at present. There must also be the Midland railway communication with the West Coast, and he was satisfied that this line would be a good paying line. We had spent so much money upon it that to stop now would be a grave mistake. There should be communication between the East and West Coast. This was a portion of the scheme of the Main Trunk lines and it must be completed. The Otago Central line was also a portion of this Trunk scheme, and this work was proceeding and would be completed. Then there was the Catlins line, Owaka to Waimakaka. That line was being made; just three miles were being completed at the present time, and this was going through fine land, splendid bush, to destroy which would, under existing circumstances, be almost criminal He maintained that this line must go on. There was then the line from Otautau to the Lake Country, It was, he said, the dream of that far-seeing statesman, Mr James Macandrew, "that there should be a steel girdle round the South Island," and I am myself looking forward to that girdle being completed. The railway from Hokitika through the Haast Pass to Otago would connect with the Otago system, and also with the whole of the Lake Country. There would then be a complete railway system, and we should have the teeming millions from other countries coming here. In the course of ten years we should be importing timber largely, unless we made railways through the timbered portions of the West Coast and other parts, and got our timber in our own colony. He hoped he would not be accused of a borrowing and squandering policy, but he was just, as it was his duty to be, and time would prove whether his contention was correct. It would take years to complete the system, and the rate of expenditure upon construction of railways need not necessarily be increased.