TUNNEL ROAD SCHEME

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27442, 31 August 1954, Page 10

TUNNEL ROAD SCHEME

Deputation To Prime Minister SUPPORT BY CITY COUNCIL The Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, MJ*.) last evening agreed to a request by the City Council that he, should lead a deputation to the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) with a request that a Tunnel Road Authority Bill be introduced. Cr. W. S. Mac Gibbon said that it was expected that the Prime Minister would agree to receive a deputation in Christchurch soon. • Cr. J. E. Jones said that the tunnel road should be a national responsibility. He did not agree with the financial proposals of the Tunnel Road Promotion Committee. Cr. G. Manning said to get an extension of the main highway another ad hoc body was proposed. Cr. J. E. Tait: You can always amalgamate when they do the job. “I think/ we should have another look at the proposition,” said Cr. Manuing. The Mayor said he was keen that the tunnel road should be commenced and he was anxious that there should be unanimity when the deputation approached the Prime Minister. Nothing had emanated from the Minister of Works as to the Government’s proposals for financing the road construction. If the Government would say it would approve the scheme, it would be a big gain. He felt, however, that the work was a national one and the Prime Minister should be asked if the Government was prepared to meet the cost. If his attitude was that the Government would help, the Authority might not be necessary. ‘Ji am very concerned to see that we get our fair share of national finance for national projects in our locality,” said Mr Macfarlane. Cr. Mac Gibbon: I do hope that we get a unanimous vote, so that we can go along and speak with a united voice. The tunnel road was long overdue, as far as Canterbury was concerned, said Cr. Mac Gibbon.