ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 10

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

MORE ABOUT THE BRIDGE

MR. HARRIS HITS BACK.

CREDIT FOR THE GRANT.

INDEPENDENT REFORMER'S CLAIM.

A great deal more about the proposed 'Larbour bridge was heard at a wellattended meeting in the Xorthcote Theatre last night, when Mr. A. Harris, Independent Reform candidate for Waitemata, added a few words to the wrangle in v.hich the United candidate and himself have participated since the npenin™ of the campaign. Mr. A. E. <!reeiwiade, Mayor of Xortbcote, presided. The candidate's remarks were punetunted by frequent applause, which was ■prolonged at the conclusion of his address and after the vote of thanks and (confidence, moved by Mr. C. A. DeuxT'orry, seconded by Mr. J. Mackay, had been curried without dissent, after an amendment, moved by Mr. A. T. Munn and seconded by Mr. E. H. Stewart, had l>oen lo«t on the voices. Mr. Harris read a letter he had re- ■ r.i ived from the Postmaster-General, the Hon. W. Nosworthy, stating that in response to his representations, a public hlot telephone cabinet was to be provided in neen Street. Mr. Harris said the Xorthcote people could have this at any time now, and he knew it would be .appreciated.

Though the United candidate had retracted his statement that Mr. Harris Tiad not paid his subscription to the Harbour Bridge Association, Mr. Greville had not yet acknowledged his false accusation a week ago that Mr. Harris had advocated putting the bridge at Kauri Point, though he had been challenged to prove, or withdraw this. Mr. Harris still claimed that the £500 vote for survey of the harbour bed was the result of his efforts. He had presented the large petition to Parliament, and "this liad been refererd to a special committee, which reported favourably.

The United candidate for Auckland iHuburbs, Mr. E. K. Allen, had stated that if the United party was returned to power the people could regard the bridge as good as built. If they were going to ■wait till the United party succeeded to power, they would not see the bridge this side of the grave.

. A brlge across the Waitcmata Harlour waa among his planks in 1911. Prior to the war, the Government set up the Inland Waterways Commission, and upon his suggestion the question of a liarbour bridge was referred to this commission for investigation. The war delayed the sitting of the commission till 1921, when evidence was tendered for the bridge- project. He therefore could claim to have some connection with ias early history. To-day a definite and pronounced public opinion favoured the bridge, and no Government could stand up against this, which was proved by the grant of £500 to test the bed of the harbour. He anticipated that legislation would next year authorise the erection of the bridge, which was a sound and practicable proposition. A rating area would be created, adn a rate struck as security for loan, but this was never likely to bo collected, as in the case of the Power Board. If motor traffic increased at the same rate for five years, by 1033 tho toll charges reckoned at half the toll now paid to the Ferry Company would be sufficient to cover interest on Capital expenditure. He congratulated the North Shore and Auckland on the great public opinion behind the movement, and believed the day was not far distant when ho would be able to drive over the bridge in a motor car. (Applause.)

Answering questions, Mr. Harris said the- site advocated before the Inland Waterways Commission was from Freenan's Bay to Stoke's Point, the design being a double deck bridge to carry through railway traffic direct to KauIcapakapa—. He had never accused the Government of corruption. He had said that though not wilful, the Government liad acted in a way that he disagreed with, and •which would have the effect of putting money into the pockets of the Takapuna Tramway Company by creating a monopoly of the transport, which it was not entitled to have. He had said bo quite frankly and wkas still of the same opinion. Fortunately the legislation was not put through in that form after all.