We note with intense satisfaction the statement made in Thursday's
Times that Lord Londonderry has promised to preside at a meeting (to be held in one of the Committee- rooms of the House of Commons) next week to consider what steps shall be taken to promote the construction of a Channel tunnel between Great Britain and Ireland. It is said that, provided a certain amount of sympathetic interest is shown by the Government, the necessary funds will be forthcoming. We believe that the tunnel would pay, but so important do we consider the matter from the political point of view, that we hold that, if necessary, Parliament might guarantee interest at 24 per cent. on £10,000,000, or such a percentage as should be required to make up 24 per cent. The tunnel would not only give a physical foundation for Unionism, but would greatly help the material development of Ireland. Lastly, it would secure to the United Kingdom for all time the command of the quick passenger traffic to and from America. The main stream of Transatlantic traffic would be bound to flow through Ireland and Great Britain. As to the engineer. ing possibilities we have no fears. We do not doubt that Mr. John Aird would contract to make the tunnel with as light a heart as he agreed to dam the, Nile at ASS011011. Of the two, the tunnel is probably the easier task.
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