PORT CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16362, 6 November 1918, Page 4

PORT CHRISTCHURCH.

DEPUTATION TO HON. T. M. * WILI'OIID. A deputation, representing tho Christchurch Canal League, was introduced to tho Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister ot Mariue, yesterday morning by Dr. 11'. T. J. Thackor, M.P. The members of the deputation were Messrs J.J. Gra- ) ham (enairman pro tern of the League;, Cnaries Allison, s\. J. Jcnkm, G. Scott, t>. K, Burton, C. D. Matson, 1. ±1. Marker, ii. Btuee, C Bailey, j. Howie, and J. \\. l'atcuett. .apology was received for tue absenco ot Air J. li. btruthers. Tiie speakers were Dr. Thacker, M.P., Messrs Graham, Allison, sx-ott, ami Marker, and they pointed out tho necessity lor the construction of ,a port in the estuary of the Avcn and ileathcote in order to provide adequate shipping facilities for wanterbury, alleging tbut tor an expenditure of £'AH),oUU (tho amount it. was estimated would, be necessary to put Lvttelton harbour into oruor), siuii a port could be constructed. It was further argued that the establishment of a port would not affect railway traffic; further, that tho basis of representation on tli© Harbour Board required to be altered so that population would be the determining factor. The Hon. T. M. Wilfprd, replying, said that he had little to' sny at t-uo present stage. He had an intimate knowledge of harbour legislation, but did not possess sufficient local knowledge to apply to Christchurch the principles, -n which ho believed as to representation on harbour boards. Until lie possessed that local knowledge he could not discuss the question of framing legislation for representation on the Lyttelton. Harbour Board. Ho would look into tho Bill that Dr. Thacker introduced last year, and would take steps to communicate his views to the chairman or tho League respecting it. H<e believed that anybody who raised the question or competition between a waterway, and a I railway was raising a bogey. In© reI port of a Commission which took evidence in France showed that railways ' and canals worked in harmony and that i notwithstanding the millions of pounds worth of goods carried on canals U did. 1 not affect tho traffic on-the -B rehcli rail-, wavs which were, probably, some of the best in the world. Commerce when carried on water, wherever possible, nas a big factor in New Zealand s future, as he believed that all-round rapidan efficient communication was the basis of industrial life. Anything that would make for such communication should ije seriouslv considered and gone mto Now that he* had heard the views of the deputation ho trusted that thoso who were opposing the scheme would .»PP™ach him a nU placo their views against those expressed by tho deputation, so that, like a judge, he could, after hearing the ISenw give a finding for tho plaintiff or tho defendant. If no such deputation came to him. and he heard no ounosition, he would seriously consider 82 present deputation's representat;<TLie Minister was then motored' by members of the deputation to Mount | Pleasant, where the site of the proposed I Port Christchurch was .pointed out to him- . '