WHAT MR. COATES SAID.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 129, 3 June 1930, Page 17

WHAT MR. COATES SAID.

RAILWAYS IN SOUTH ISLAND.

MR. W. J. GIRLING EXPLAINS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

BLENHEIM, Monday.

Speaking at Christcliurch a few days ago the Leader of the Labour party, Mr. H. E. Holland, in referring to railway construction matters, stated that during the last election campaign, when there was a danger of Reform losing the Wairau seat, Mr. W. J. Girling, then member for the district, announced that he had the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates' authority to say that the South Island Main Trunk railway wonld be completed, but Reform lost the seat, and then opposed conclusion of the line.

This statement was referred to Mr. Girling, who stated that at no time during the last election campaign did he receive a message from Mr. Coates that he would complete the South Main Trunk railway, nor did he make such a statement during the campaign. Reference in his addresses to Mr. Coates' attiture toward the railway was to the effect that when Mr. Coates was speaking in the House of Representatives on railway construction he (Mr. Girling had interjected and asked the then Prime Minister, "What about the South Island Main Trunk line?" Mr. Coates had replied that after the completion of the Westport-Inangahua line he would turn his attention to the South Island Main Trunk. "Quite a number of members of Parliament," said Mr. Girling, "have made statements similar to that now made by the Leader of the Labour party, and in justice to Mr. Coates I feel it my duty to make the position clear."