HARBOUR BRIDGE DEPUTATION

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 134, 8 June 1928, Page 3

HARBOUR BRIDGE DEPUTATION

RESENTMENT AT ACTIOH. EXPLANATION* BY MR, HARRIS, M.P. The deputation that interviewed the Prime Minister on Tuesday on the subject of the proposed bridge over the Waitemata Harbour was not appointed by the Auckland Harbour Bridge Association, Incorporated. This was made clear at the meeting of the Bridge Association last evening during a discussion that arose from the publication of some remarks made by Mr. Coates to the deputation. Mr. G. O'Halloran. who presided in the absence of the chairman (Mr. E. G. Skeates), said the impression that prevailed that this was represented as a deputation from the Bridge Association was erroneous. Mr. A. Harris. M.P., explained that he had arranged the interview. When he suggested the matter to the chairman of the Bridfre Association. Mr. Skeates considered the matter should first, be referred to the meeting of the association that week, and also as to what should be put before the Prime Minister. Mr. Harris said he accordingly arranged the interview independent of the association. Mr. Coates was ont opposed to the bridge, but it was a question of finance. If it was intended that the Government should find a million sterling, this could not be entertained. He had asked Mr. Coates if the Government would undertake the initial cost of necessary preliminary work. Mr. Coates had expressed himself as not unsvmpathetie and was personally ready to*help. Mr. Harris was convinced that Mr. Coates would give the project his support. "The interview was quite satisfactory, and the harbour bridge has come visiblv nearer." Mr. Harris assured the meeting. Mr. J. B. Tonar expressed regret that any such deputation did not include leading members of the association like Messrs. R. H. Greville, M. Blampied and others, who had been prominently connected with the work of the association tor so long.

Mr. M. Blampied said, thouph they had said they did not represent th<! Bridge Association at the deputation, both •yere members of the association's committee and could not dissociate themselves therefrom. For the past two years the association had been working on a definite programme. Mr. Harris admitted that Mr. Skeates was opposed to waiting on the Prime Minister at that stage without a decision of the committor. The general committee existed to decide questions of policy. The result, of the deputation was that the association had been shown np as a lot of irresponsible?. That was the impression left on the minds of the public. These members had flouted the chairman and the association. The association had a propaganda committee to advise on these ( matters.

Mr. F. E. Powell said he supported the remarks of the previous speaker ■with feelings of great regret. The of the few made the association look ridiculous and unbusinesslike. None of the technical advisers were present; neither the consulting engineer nor the others who had taken such a great interest. He disagreed with Mr. Harris that the meeting with Mr. Cojtes was satisfactory; it was exactly the opposite. Mr. R. H. GreviUe considered the deputation quite out of place until information which the committee had been working towards finality had been dealt with by the association. The whole of this was now ready for the association's consideration. It had been agreed that members should not indulge in propaganda without the approval of the committee. and not even write letters to the newspapers. The deputation at that ?tagc was a direct affront to the other members of the committe, which, when a deputation was desirable, could have taken along the four North Shore Mayors, the engineering experts, and a large number of the committee. The action of the deputation had made the committee look farcical.

Mr. J. E. Close paid he attended the interview to the Prime Minister on the explicit understanding that it was in a private capacity, when he was told the head of the association did not countenince a deputation.

Mr. A. E. Greenslade said the organisaioji of the deputation to the Prime Minister, under all the circumstances, ooked like *' electioneering." After further discussion, a motion and amendment before the meeting were withdrawn, as it was considered the matter had been sufficiently ventilated. Mr. J. McDonald said Mr. Coates had told the deputation that the association had never placed any concrete proposal before him. Why, Mr. Coates had the art union proposal for raising the capital to build the bridge put before him, but this had been turned down.

Secretary Appointed. Thirty applications were received for the position of secretary, at a salary of £"> per week and 1 j per cent commission on all subscriptions. These were reduced to four by a special committee, the final selection being Captain C. G. Ashdown, who will take up his duties forthwith. It was ajrreed that the president and vice-president be ex-officio members of all committees. An executive committee was appointed, comprising Messrs. O. Moller, F. L. Powell. J. B. Tonar, M. Blampied," and I!. F. Barter. Mes-rs. Alex. Harris. M.P.. R. H. Greville, LL.M.. F. E. Powell. C.K.. C. E. G. Tisdall. H. Martin, and H. L. Bell-Booth were elected the Financc and Propaganda Committee. A special meeting is to b» held next "eek for the ci.n-;d°ral inn of the report of the Propaganda Committor.