HARBOUR BRIDGE FINANCE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26967, 17 February 1953, Page 8

HARBOUR BRIDGE FINANCE

PRIME MINISTER’S STIPULATION MR HOLLAND REPLIES TO SIR JOHN ALLUM .(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 16. The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) tonight accused Sir John Allum, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority, of trying to put him and the Government “offside.” Mr Holland was referring to a statement on bridge finance in which Sir John Allum described as extraordinary the Prime Minister’s stipulation that a prerequisite of the signing of a contract should be £6,750,000 in sureties. The Prime Minister said he found it difficult to understand the reason for Sir John Allum’s statement. “All along,” he continued, “I have done everything in ,my power to assist the harbour bridge project, and Sir John is constantly expressing his appreciation to me.” When Mr Holland’s remarks were referred to him tonight, Sir .John Allum said: “The position is simple —wfyen the press asks me questions for public information, and it is proper for me to answer them, then I intend to answer them. Nothing I said was intended to embarrass the Government, and there is no need for the. Government to be embarrassed. “In all my years of public life it has been the practice of local bodies when carrying out major works to raise the necessary money as and when required. At present the Local Government Loans Board is insisting that this shall be done. “People who, like myself, are in public life are puzzled at the two different policies. The sooner this matter is cleared up, the better.’’